At the Estero Lagoon we had a very nice sunrise, in the background the fog melting. This created a unique background with beautiful light. Among the birds that were attracted by the bait fish Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Tricoloured Heron, Brown Pelican and Reddish Egret. The latter bird is normally ‘reddish’ but sometimes turns into a white bird, also known as the white morphed reddish egret.
| White Morphed Reddish Egret |
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| portrait in stunning morning sunlight against a foggy background |
Although the most cunning birds to come in for the bait fish were the white and snowy egrets, the reddish egret got some chances as well to get some fish.
| White Morphed Reddish Egret |
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| click on an image to get a larger version … |
Finally a ‘real’ Reddish Egret, posing in front of the Condominiums of Estero Beach, reflecting in the water.
| Reddish Egret |
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Part of the bird gang coming for the fish, but usually working on his own, was the Tricoloured Heron. Where the white egrets would stand just a few meters away from the bait thrower, anticipating more, the Tricoloured Heron would start hunting on his own.
| Tricoloured Heron hunting |
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| completely absorbed by the hunt |
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| allowing a closeup after being well fed |
Occasionally another bird would pass the scene, but would be intimidated by the other big birds to stay for long.
| Ring Billed Gull |
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| ‘stealing’ a bite |
Finally an image of a bird with a very sweet face.
| Black Bellied Plover |
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| ‘am I safe here ?’ |
See all images from the Florida IPT at Florida IPT Gallery.