Snowy Egret scratching its neckSnowy Egret scratching its neck – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I may have dipped on the Snowy Owl that was reported at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge this week but in the summer I never dip on the Snowies seen then, the Snowy Egrets. I photographed these Snowy Egrets last August while on the auto tour loop. There were several of them congregated in one area in good light and I took full advantage of that by taking several hundred images of them.

Resting Snowy Egret with its crest plumes raisedA resting Snowy Egret with its crest plumes raised – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Snowy Egrets of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge never fail to delight me with their bright white plumage, golden feet, bright yellow lores and feathery plumes. There are times during the summer that I can see as many as one hundred or more of them just going around the auto tour loop once.

Maybe I will see the Snowy Owl before winter is over or maybe not but I know I will see these Snowies before long.

Life is good.

Mia

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

PS: I am so happy that the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by the militant terrorists has come to an end. It is going to take time for the Crime Scene Investigators to process the refuge and then time for refuge staff and volunteers to clean up the disgusting mess the idiots left behind. But the refuge is now back in the hands of people who love it.