"The Stalk"

Great Egret, Ardea Alba

Outback Key, Fort De Soto State Park

St. Petersburg, FL

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4

1/1600 @ f/16

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm

Heron Rookery

     Just got home from three days of photography at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm heron rookery. I pulled this image off the first SD card I looked at.  Not much work on this image, just some slight cropping and exposure adjustment.  This Great Egret was in the middle of its nuptial dance when I snapped the shot.  Looking forward to seeing all the images, but not tonight.  Just exhausted after a morning of shooting and a ten-hour drive home.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/500 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Area alba

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm

Saint Augustine, FL

     The Chase is On!  This photo was captured after a Great Egret landed near another who was displeased by the approach.  A chase ensued leaving the interloper looking for a new perch.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4 lens, 1/3200 second @ f/10

Pic of the Day

Great Egret and chicks, Ardea alba: 

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; Saint Augustine, Florida

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba:

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida

    The early morning light striking the birds at Merritt Island NWR last Friday morning was absolutely exquisite.  As I was shooting a variety of birds in the marsh a Great Egret plucked a fish from the water, and then, being very proud of himself strutted in front of my lens before downing the fish.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2000 second @ f/10

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba:  Blackpoint Wildlife Drive;

Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

     I captured this image on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive during early March.  It was busy feeding in one of the impoundments, paying little attention to me.  What I liked about the situation was the white bird on dark water. The contrast of dark gray, and white simplifies the image, and the yellow beak provides a nice accent color.  Hope you enjoy the image.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/5000 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba:  Saint Augustine Alligator Farm, Florida

     This is another of the many images taken at the alligator farm in Saint Augustine, Florida earlier this year.  The sunlight passing through the wings delineates the egret's feathers, making it easy to separate and count the different types.  Here you can see primaries, secondaries, tertiaries, and greater and lesser coverts through the former.  Note the wing bones that are visible through feathers and skin.  What a wondrous marvel.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2500 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba:  Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; Saint Augustine, Florida

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/6400 @ f/6.3

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Great Egret, Ardea alba against storm clouds: 

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; Saint Augustine, Florida

     This was shot in early March at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm.  Egrets were busy flying to and from nests in the early morning giving me ample opportunities to shoot birds in flight.  I was fortunate to catch this egret with a bank of storm clouds which provided the perfect background.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8, 1/8000 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba:  Saint Augustine Alligator Farm

Saint Augustine, Florida

     I photographed this Great Egret in the middle of its nuptial display.  The aigrette plumes on the egret's back are raised as the egret displays for its mate standing on the nest just a few feet away.  It was these beautiful aigrette plumes that almost caused the demise of this and other species of egrets and herons a hundred years ago.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm 2.8, 1/800 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

Great Egret, Ardea alba: Saint Augustine Alligator Farm

Saint Augustine, Florida

     I took this image earlier this month at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm where Great Egrets and at least 7 other wadding birds species nest right along the boardwalk.  Nesting is in full swing by now with some species still building nest, with others sitting on eggs or feeding newly hatched young. I shot this bird as it flew to its nest.  Flight photography opportunities at the alligator farm abound as does bird on the nest with nestlings.

     Note the aigrette plumes that extend beyond the tail feathers.  Aigrette plumage is molted after the breeding season.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/8000 second @ f7.1 

Great Egret, Ardea alba

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; Saint Augustine, Florida

     The heron rookery at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm is already hopping this year.  I stopped by on the 4th of March and found Great Egrets building nest and Roseate Spoonbills and Woodstorkes scouting locations.  The later should have already started building by now.

I captured this Great Egret as it flew over me on the way to its nest.  The back lighting shows the delicate bone structure in the wings and provides an excellent view of the wing feather pattern.  Primary, secondary’s, and under wing coverts are easily distinguishable.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, 1/2500 second @ f8, Handheld on gunstock mount.