Photography of Birds – Set # 259
Set # 259
Great Egret
Great Egret
The Great Egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, occurring worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. It is ubiquitous across the Sun Belt of the United States and in the Neotropics. In North America, large numbers of great egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss, particularly wetland degradation through drainage, grazing, clearing, burning, increased salinity, groundwater extraction and invasion by exotic plants. Nevertheless, the species adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas.
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
The great egret always gets me excited when we see it, it is such an elegant bird. Swans are not indigenous to South Africa so we seldom see them, and when we do they’re invariable “domesticated” and rather aggressive!
The great egrets are such an example of gracious stylized wade bird with an immaculate plumage, even when spend most of time in a swamp.
This swan I photographed in a lake in New Jersey. Thank you, D. 🙂