Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: JW Mills on May 04, 2010, 11:03:45 PM

Title: Great Egrets
Post by: JW Mills on May 04, 2010, 11:03:45 PM

Home Smith Park  April 30
 
These two may have been mates. They were within 30 yds of each other and when one flew off down the river, the other soon followed.
 
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u225/zed37/Wildlife/GreatEgret02.jpg)
 
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u225/zed37/Wildlife/GreatEgret03.jpg)

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Post by: Scott on May 05, 2010, 10:15:33 AM

Its great to see these birds this far north!  Excellent shots, especially the second.

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Post by: denis on May 05, 2010, 07:44:12 PM

great shots john.
#2 for me.

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Post by: ravynne40 on May 05, 2010, 07:56:09 PM

Beautiful capture of the plumage on the 2nd photo
I cant' wait to see my first Egret this year :)

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Post by: Tyler on May 06, 2010, 12:07:12 AM

These birds are almost certainly not mates. Most Great egrets are in the process of laying eggs now. So they may be neighbours. The second shot shows those lovely breeding plumes which almost caused the species extinction.

As for scott's surprise of seeing these birds so far north.
The largest Colony In Canada is north on Toronto In Georgian Bay 141 nests last year.

Best place and time to see large numbers of Great Egrets is in Luther Marsh in late August.

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Post by: JW Mills on May 06, 2010, 07:54:49 PM

Thanks everyone!

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Post by: lovetobird on May 06, 2010, 08:54:51 PM

Really like the second one as well, the plumage is spectacular

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Post by: beresford on May 07, 2010, 05:37:39 PM

Wonderful second shot.

I look forward to seeing them again soon.

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Post by: Photoman on May 08, 2010, 09:18:00 AM

Nice shots John, I like #2 the best, nice work.

Clemens 8)

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Post by: Niloc on May 08, 2010, 06:34:54 PM

Beautiful!