Hundreds of Great Egrets were still sleeping or waking up and preening at a pond at the refuge. It was a bit nippy and there was some fog and frost on the brown reeds. I had never seen that many Great Egrets in one place, but could not capture the entire flock in one photo.
All the birds were in their best breeding plumage and colors, with long white aigrettes that ladies at the beginning of the last century would have paid dearly to adorn their headdresses with.
blondie63 said:
Beautiful white birds!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks, Lisa!
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Amy said:
Beautiful fluffy egrets. Hope it was not too cold for them.
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neihtn2012 said:
Amy it was cold! I wished I had their down jacket! 🙂
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Nick Hunter said:
Love a story like this because it’s something new and enlightening – I’ve never seen a large number of egrets. Beautiful captures.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Nick!
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quietsolopursuits said:
I’ve seen a few small flocks of ten to twenty egrets at one time around here, never as many as you saw. Also, I seldom see them in the spring in their full breeding plumage, only in the fall when they’re on the way south. I’m quite envious of your photos, as they are excellent, and show the full beauty of the egrets!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Jerry! Here in New Jersey, the EBF Refuge seems to have egrets almost all year round. That’s why we get to see them in their breeding colors. This winter was so cold that there was at least a month during which I did not see them, but now they are back in force.
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katelon said:
What a treat for you!
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neihtn2012 said:
Indeed! Thanks Katelon!
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Eliza Waters said:
I can’t imagine seeing a flock that big. Must have been wonderful!
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neihtn2012 said:
Eliza, it was a wonderful surprise, with so many egrets anywhere you looked in a 180 degree arc!
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sandyjwhite said:
What a special treat to see such a large gathering of these beautiful birds!
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neihtn2012 said:
Yes Sandy, it was a nice surprise for arriving early at the refuge!
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