This Snowy Egret has a friend but it’s not another Egret, but a white-phase Little Blue Heron. The pond where I snapped these pictures is one of the temporary rainfall retention ponds we have here in this development. It is down the street from the larger permanent pond along the golf course, where I frequently see other herons and egrets. The Snowy Egret is the one with the yellow eyes, yellow patch above its bill, and the yellow feet.
The other wading bird is a juvenile Little Blue Heron. They certainly look-alike, don’t they? The give-away is that bluish bill and the faintly light blue-green legs and feet. These two birds wade in the shallows of ponds, rivers and lakes and love eating amphibians, small turtles, fishes and insects. I have heavily cropped one photo of both birds together in order to help show the subtle difference between each. I took these pictures on Thursday, September 26, 2013 in the morning here in the development where I live in Marion County, Florida. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!
Comments on: "A Snowy Egret and Heron" (11)
Great shot ! Snowy Egret looks beautiful against green background.
Hi Mona, Thank you! I so enjoyed seeing the beautiful birds here yesterday. Have a wonderful day today!
Hi all, This morning I witnessed an epic battle between the Crows and the neighborhood’s resident Sharp-shinned Hawk. Guess who won? There were at least 20 Crows chasing that hawk! I managed to get a single snapshot of the hawk with a couple of Crows chasing it but there were too many trees in the way and the birds were very quick (wouldn’t you be fast if someone chased you?). Just thought I’d share the incident with you. Wildlifewatcher.
oh, how cool! love that they are hanging out together, too!
Hi Theresa, I agree completely! Have a fabulous weekend!
You are GOOD!!! Really good! i would have thought they were a pair. The juveniles are the hardest to identify.
Hi Ginny, Many thanks. It was not until I looked at the shots on the computer that I could actually see the subtle differences – mostly that bill and the legs. Yes, hard to identify. I really had to look. Have a super good weekend!
Very pretty! I love both the Snowy Egrets and the Little Blue herons. Always a treat to see them. Great captures of the two together. Have a happy weekend!
Hi Eileen, I agree that the Snowy and juvenile Little Blue Heron are gorgeous birds. I was surprised that there were not two Egrets but really that second bird was the Heron. Have a fine Saturday tomorrow and thanks for your kind comments!
Fascinating that the two species are so similar!
Hi Montucky, Almost alike. I did wonder if the heron was really just a juvenile Snowy but then I looked both up in several sources and truly my best guess is that one is a heron. Have a great weekend!