Reddish Egrets are the rarest, and arguably the most beautiful, of the Florida herons. Once relatively common along the coastlines of Florida in the 19th century, plume hunters nearly eradicated the species from Florida by the early 20th century. Since the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Reddish Egret has been increasing in numbers in Florida, but after nearly 100 years, the population still has not fully recovered. It is estimated that there are less than 400 nesting pairs in the state, a population that may be about one tenth of the population in the mid-19th century. Most today can be found in the Florida Bay and Tampa Bay areas, with some also found at Merritt Island and elsewhere. They can be found in two morphs: a “dark” morph, which is more reddish in color, and a “white” morph.
Aside from their beauty, Reddish Egrets are also known for their feeding habits. Called “canopy feeding” by some, Reddish Egrets are often seen darting to and fro looking for food, and when they strike at their prey, they spread their wings to cast a shadow over the water. This of course makes them enjoyable to watch as well as spectacular to photograph.
For more on nature, bird, and wildlife photography, see
Learn Outdoor Photography
.
Scott Simmons
Scott Simmons, based in Florida, is a lover of nature, landscape, and wildlife photography. Scott became interested in photography in 2001 when he was given his first SLR camera. When he acquired a telephoto lens, he became progressively more interested in birds and other wildlife. Scott enjoys learning about bird habitats and behavior, striving always to take images that are both beautiful and interpretive. Scott believes photography is a great vehicle to help others to appreciate the wonder for the stuff of earth.
Leave a Reply