Great Egret foraging the wrack lineGreat Egret foraging the wrack line – Nikon D200, handheld, f8, 1/640, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Five years ago today I photographed this Great Egret foraging in a wrack line along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida at Fort De Soto.

A wrack line is the line of seaweed, algae, dying grasses, seeds, sponges, egg cases and other debris that accumulates on beaches from the last high tide. Wrack lines may also contain driftwood and trash that has been in the water. For birds it can be a smorgasbord because of the small invertebrates, eggs and bugs that are found there and at Fort De Soto the gulls, wading birds and shorebirds can be found poking through the wrack line for food.

In this image there is a preening Laughing Gull to the left of the Great Egret’s bill and just to the right of the egret’s leg is a Ruddy Turnstone that was actively searching the wrack for food.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Great Egret photos plus facts and information about this species.