Egrets and the Hummingbird
by Jennie Breeze
Title
Egrets and the Hummingbird
Artist
Jennie Breeze
Medium
Photograph - Original Img_3280
Description
Lucky shot catching a second when a hummingbird stops by for a quick visit to an egret couple. The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society. Audubon was founded to protect birds from being killed for their feathers. The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland. Slightly smaller and more svelte than a Great Blue Heron, these are still large birds with impressive wingspans. They hunt in classic heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab of their yellow bill. Great Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late nineteenth century, sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds. Great Egrets live in freshwater, brackish, and marine wetlands. During the breeding season they live in colonies in trees or shrubs with other waterbirds. The colonies are located on lakes, ponds, marshes, estuaries, impoundments, and islands. They hunt in marshes, swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, impoundments, lagoons, tidal flats, canals, ditches, fish-rearing ponds, flooded farm fields, and sometimes upland habitats. Standing up to 3.3 ft. tall, this species can measure 31 to 41 in. in length and have a wingspan of 52 to 67 in. Body mass can range from 700 to 1.5 to 3.3 lbs., with an average of around 2.2 lbs.
Uploaded
July 20th, 2013
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Comments (10)
Hanne Lore Koehler
Fantastic capture of a little hummingbird visiting these magnificent egrets, Jennie! What a size difference! L/F
Anita Pollak
What a fabulous capture, Jennie! So great that you got the hummingbird too! Wonderful information in your description. l/f
Mary McAvoy
Jennie, this is an astounding photo!!! Wow! Good for you!
Jennie Breeze replied:
Thanks Mary! Appreciate being featured in your CAPTURING THE GREAT HERON group homepage.
Jennie Breeze replied:
Thanks Ruth! Glad to be selected and featured in your EGRETS 2 DAY group homepage.
Jennie Breeze
Thanks Mother Nature! Appreciate being featured in your FEATHERS group homepage.
Jennie Breeze replied:
Thanks Mariola! Grateful to be featured in your WILDLIFE ONE A DAY group homepage.