Reddish Egret fishing in the surfReddish Egret fishing in the surf –  Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited

 While I lived in Florida I took thousands (and thousands) of images of Reddish Egrets and I am very glad that I did because they are rarities in Utah, where I now live.

For the image above I laid down in the wet sand where the water lapped the shoreline to get a very low angle, the Reddish Egret wasn’t paying attention to me at all, it was completely focused on fishing for its breakfast. I love how the incoming wave broke just in front of the bird while it had the fish in its bill.

Fluffed up preening Reddish Egret Fluffed up preening Reddish Egret – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 160, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 180mm, natural light, not baited

I’d had some problems with my Nikkor 80-400mm VR lens when I took the image above and had shipped it off for repair. I didn’t like to take my Nikkor 200-400mm VR f/4 to the beach because I was in the sand and water so often so instead I opted to take my Nikkor 70-300mm VR that day. Because many birds in Florida are used to human presence they are far less skittish than the birds here in Utah and I could easily use a shorter focal length.

This Reddish Egret was perched on a downed tree while preening and allowed a close approach. Though some people may think the angle is a bit steep I think the pose, the bird being in breeding plumage, ruffled “mane” and the feather stuck on the bill add interesting dynamics to the frame.

Until I get back to Florida for a “photocation” I will just enjoy the images I took while living there.

Mia