A first for me seeing one of these in person as they only migrate through the Centennial State. I happened across this one hanging out in a suburban pond, I reckon resting its wings before it continues on its journey. Not a great picture due to harsh, mid-day light but it was fun to see and document one.
They are commonly found in winters along the Pacific coast and Mexico while some stay year-round in the southeastern United States. The Great Egret is actually the symbol for the National Audubon Society, an organization founded originally to protect birds that were being killed with impunity for their feathers. That hunting actually drove the Great Egret to near extinction in the late 19th century.
