What's So Great About the Great Egret

I've often kicked myself over reports of having just missed a great egret in Toronto, and every now and then I hear about several hanging around in one spot at once, flying around, spreading those big wings in a way no photographer could resist. I do catch up with them from time to time though, and here's one I shot in the duck pond of High Park.

Note that there is also a Great White Heron, which is simply a Great Blue Heron with all white feathers, a 'morph' as ornithologists call it. You can be certain this is not a Great White Heron because it lacks tufts on the top of its head and is a little more slender. I'll also say that egrets aren't quite as skittish as herons...though they're not exactly bold either.

As always, if you want a slightly better look, click to enlarge.

Great Blue Taking Off

A little taste of the Florida everglades during the freezing depths of horrid Toronto winter? No! A taste of Toronto in the summertime!!

Yes, there are lots of Great Blue Herons in Toronto, many right in the centre of the city. In fact, herons are so common if you go to most any sort of wetland area (even a small one) there's probably a blue heron hanging around for at least part of the day, most likely the early morning or late evening. The difficulty lies in the fact that they are very skittish, so if you walk up to a marshland like an approaching army, or even just walk up casually, most herons will fly away as soon as they see you. More crucially, they'll fly away before you see them. They're also surprisingly difficult to see when they're wading in the water, because their camo is good and because they stay very still. All the better to lure in the fishies.