In Quiet Reflection

A Snowy Egret in a quiet morning ritual of preening.

Generally, life is good.

Snowy Egret is Looking for Fish

 

Generally, life is good.

The Chaotic Gathering

 

This is probably one of my favorite moments. I love this lively, chaotic gathering of Snowy Egrets, each absorbed in its own small drama. 

The egret in the center seems ready to take off, full of restless energy; the bird behind proudly guards its freshly caught fish, unwilling to let it go. The Snowy egret in front stands there uncertain, not knowing what to do next.

Together, they create a scene that feels both spontaneous and beautifully imperfect—just like nature itself.

Generally, life is good.

On Guard

 

This Snowy egret isn’t just on guard—it’s preparing to fight. 

With that wild feather-do and sharp glare, it looks like the swamp’s toughest bouncer, ready to sneer, ‘Not on the list? Then you’re not getting past me or into my swamp.’

Generally, life is good.

An Explorer

A Snowy egret explores a moss-covered rocky area before heading out to fish.

 

Generally, life is good.

Fishing Together

 

Adult Black-crowned Night Herons are solitary birds that prefer to hunt alone but young  Night Herons are a different story.  They usually hang out around Snowy egrets.

Snowy Egrets tend to hunt aggressively, chasing prey and causing more movement in the water. This creates more opportunities for night herons to grab food without expending as much energy.

Young Black-crowned Night Herons may not be as skilled at hunting yet, so watching egrets can help them develop better foraging techniques.

Hanging around with Egrets offers protection from predators. More eyes mean a better chance of spotting danger.

Generally, life is good.

Snowy Egrets During Sunrise

 

A little patience and the Bear River MBR will welcome Snowy Egrets.  The refuge is ideal place for these beautiful birds and their breeding. It offers plenty of small fish and other aquatic creatures.

Generally, life is good.

All Together

 

It's the chaotic moments like these that fascinate me the most. They are not perfect of course, but in my opinion they are interesting.

I photographed these Snowy Egrets at the end of August on the Bear River MBR.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. Snowy Egret

 

Returning to photos that were taken months ago, but not yet edited, gives you a completely different feeling. 

You can finally look at them without bias.  That's exactly what happened when I looked at some unedited photos of this beautiful Snowy Egret.  

At some point I saw the swamp and Egret in black and white and colors suddenly became less attractive than they once were.

Maybe it's my mood today, or maybe that morning was cloudy and dull and mercilessly erased all the colors.

Generally, life is good.

What a Wonderful Time It Was!

How quiet and calm this backwater was in August. Not a rustle of wind, only somewhere in the distance some bird filled the silence with its trill.

This Snowy egret was getting ready to fish, but was in no hurry. It had the whole day ahead.

Generally, life is good.

A Few Precious Minutes

I saw it only once, when the Bear River turned golden for a few precious minutes during sunrise.  

Later, I wanted to experience this miracle again, but, unfortunately, on each subsequent visit to the bird refuge, everything was ordinary and unimpressive.

Generally, life is good.

On the Wings - III

Immature Black-crowned Night Heron.

Swainson's Hawk.

Double-crested Cormorant.

Snowy Egret.

Black-necked Stilts.

Generally, life is good.

Elegance

 

Snowy Egret on the Bear River MBR.

Generally, life is good.

Gathering

The Bear River residents often gather together in the morning.  One of the moments during the gathering one group made me smile. A White-faced Ibis was surrounded by American Avocets and Black-necked Stilt.  The ibis looked very much like a "preacher".

Now this is quite a large crowd, which pushed the "preacher" aside.

Generally, life is good.

Silhouettes

 

White-faced Ibises and Snowy Egrets during sunrise on the Bear River MBR.

 

Great Blue Herons with the first rays of sun on the Bear River MBR.

Generally, life is good.

Usual Routine

 

Breakfast comes first.   

Later it would be nice to clean the feathers.

and continue to fish.

Generally, life is good.

On the Wings - II.

Canada Geese.

Snowy Egret.

Forster's Tern.

American White Pelican.

Generally, life is good.

Snowy Egret is Preening - I.

Nature has endowed the Snowy Egret with such elegance and grace like no other bird.

Generally, life is good.

On the Wings

 

Black-crowned Night Heron.

Black-necked Stilts.

Snowy Egret.

Foster's Tern.

Generally, life is good.

Snowy Egret in Tall Reeds - II.

Usually, when a Snowy Egret or other bird wander into the thickets of a swamp, my attempts to photograph them almost always end in failure.  That morning the heron decided to preen itself without hiding behind the plants. 

A few sips of water and the heron will leave this place in a few seconds.

Generally, life is good.