Female Great Egret displaying while laying on her nest. Most of the time you couldn't see her head, but every once in a while she would lift her head and feathers to the sky in a beautiful courtship display. The male had recently left the nest to collect another stick. It was amazing to watch!! I was in awe!

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lost count of the number and different species of birds that landed on the railings at Green Cay and/or Wakodahatchee, every time we were there. They would pose with you if you so desired. I usually photographed them with my iPhone, but I liked the background colours as this Tri-Coloured Heron posed, so shot him with my Canon

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When we were in Florida, nesting was well under way. The male had just flown home with a stick his mate liked. Here they are standing on their nest making a heart shape.

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Contemplating his day at sunrise.

Had way too much lens in Florida. I missed more shots than I captured because of it :)

Tags:   Green Heron Nature Wildlife outdoors Wakodahatchee Winter Florida USA North America Canon 1DXII EOS-1DXII barbaralynne Copyright Barb D'Arpino Barbara Lynne D'Arpino Barb Dearden D'Arpino Nature PHotographer Wildlife Photographer Female Photographer Wasaga Beach Photographer

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Just before sunrise, this male Great Egret flew from the nest to collect another branch to present to his mate for their nest.
You can see his ornamental plumes, named aigrettes, as well as his green lore's - both are critical to the success of courtship displays. They are beautiful in breeding plumage.

In the late 18th century these plumes were all the rage on ladies hats, 95% of Egrets were killed. Plume hunting was banned around 1910 and their numbers have increased and are now stable.

Tags:   Great Egret Breeding Plumage Nature WIldlife Canon 1DXII EOS-1DXII Outdoors Winter Wakodahatchee Florida Copyright Barb D'Arpino Barbara Lynne D'Arpino Barb Dearden D'Arpino barbaralynne Nature PHotographer Wildlife Photographer Female Photographer Wasaga Beach Photographer

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