Great Egret Studies the Stick

 

Great egrets have a strong instinct to grasp long sticks. Even outside breeding season, they may briefly pick up sticks, reeds, or debris simply to test them.

This egret found a long stick and walked with it along the shore for some time.

In shallow water, a long stick can momentarily resemble a snake or fish movement. The egret may grab it, realize it’s inedible, and still hold it briefly before letting it go.

The egret carried the stick carefully, stopping, adjusting his grip, testing its weight against the stillness of the water.

Later the egret dropped its stick and that was the end of the story. 

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.

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.

Great Egret Watches White-faced Ibises

 I found this moment funny and curious.

Generally, life is good.

 

Curious Behavior - II.

 

I talk to birds. In my mind. My conversations are more like requests. I ask them to linger, to stay for at least a couple of minutes. Sometimes they linger, but most likely it is luck that has taken pity on me and decided to smile.

I probably spent more time with this Great Egret than with any other bird and begged it not to leave the swamp. 

 

We together waited for the dawn which didn't take long to arrive and during all this time the egret moved across the swamp in short jumps, flapping its snow-white wings, as if wanting to show off its indescribable grace.  The Great egret was looking for food.

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.

Curious Behavior - II.

The Great Egret was fishing and jumping from place to place. Apparently, this was the easiest way for Egret to move through the swamp.

Egret lands after a high jump.

In a second there will be another jump, but for now, careful preparation for it.

Generally, life is good.

Elegance

 

Snowy Egret on the Bear River MBR.

Generally, life is good.

Great Egrets on The Bear River MBR

 

There were a few Great Egrets in the bird refuge two days ago but unfortunately they were far away. It took a long time to wait until two of them came a little closer to the shore.  And they were inseparable!

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.

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.

With First Rays of Sun

 

Meeting the dawn with Snowy Egrets, enjoying the first rays of the sun is probably what happiness is.   

And it doesn’t matter that Egrets wandered into the very thick of the swamp, the water in which is not mirror clear.  The main thing is that you have a rare opportunity to watch these amazing birds.

Generally, life is good.

Is This a Good Place for Fishing?

 

It's always fun to watch when a curious Snowy Egret wander into the thickets to decide if it's a good fishing spot or not.

Generally, life is good.

Flying Low

 

Two weeks ago I was looking for shorebirds on the Bear River MBR but at some point came across this Great Egret.  As I approached he immediately took off, but at first he flew low and to my delight I was able to take several photos of this elegant bird in flight.

Generally, life is good.

Intimate Portraits of Snowy Egrets

I guess I was lucky that the wind didn’t subside for a long time that evening. Ripples on the water, disheveled Snowy Egrets, which, fortunately, were so close - everything was harmonious, there was nothing superfluous in it. 

Generally, life is good.

Walk in the Swamp

Seeing a Great Egret is always exciting but when it's walking in the dense swamp and the swamp sedges are part of the frame, the excitement turns to disappointment.

Later I realized that the situation actually was not that bad.  I shoot through the sedges and was hoping that they would create blur and fog. To my surprise, I liked the resulting images; they came out mysterious.

Generally, life is good.

Flying Low

 

Usually, when birds fly low, it's a sign of rain, but in this case the Snowy Egret simply was flying by and looking for a fishing spot.

Generally, life is good.