This pair of Mallard ducks was surprised to see the Great Egret wading in their territory. The drake’s beak was wide open as he gazed in wonderment at this intruder to “their” canal. Hmm – so, should they chase it away, or just marvel at this tall, skinny bird which looked like it needed a good fish dinner to fatten it up?
This gal was also gobsmacked by its sudden appearance in the canal at Elizabeth Park. I don’t see many Great Egrets at this venue. I’ve seen them at Lake Erie Metropark, but for the past two years, the Cherry Island Trail has been so soggy and muddy that I’ve not ventured down that path to the inlet where I’ve seen a Great Egret or two in the past.
So, just like my feathered friends, seeing this regal-looking, snow-white waterfowl was a treat.
The infatuation soon wore off (as to the Mallards) and the pair swam away.
So the Egret was free to prance about the canal and enjoy the peace and solitude.
But I was greedy for a better look at it and inched ever closer to the canal bank.
It was all good until suddenly this big bird caught sight of me and off he went in the blink of an eye. Anyone know what types of treats Egrets like for next time? 🙂
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Impressive!
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For such a scrawny-looking bird, its wingspan was pretty impressive.
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💕💕💕🦢
You saw it for a bit. Maybe next time it won’t be as scared?
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I’m hoping that is the case Ellie – it was so nice to see it.
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Great photos Linda, especially the wing span. I did not think these birds were this far north. I really thought they were all in the south, in the warmer climates like Florida. What a sight to see it with the ducks. I love that. They probably thought it was some kind of intrusive alien. 🙂
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Glad you liked the photos Sandra. I remember seeing them in Florida in the trees with the Spanish moss, like they were tree decorations. I’ve seen one egret before at Elizabeth Park but it was from a long distance away. Yes, the ducks were checking it out like you say – like an intrusive alien. 🙂
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You just mentioned the Spanish moss. I remember seeing that, it is so pretty to see hanging in the trees, makes me want to go back down there. 🙂
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Yes, I remember that, moss hanging in the trees, and the Egrets in the same trees … I kept thinking at that time how it looked so different for the landscape as opposed to ours.
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Elegant birds!
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So graceful!
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These are generally skittish birds. It’s always fun when they get so engrossed in their hunting skills that they forget about everything around them. That’s when you can slowly sneak up and get close photos.
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Yes it was fun Rebecca sneaking up behind him and it was just the two of us at the canal. Then he saw me and flew off in a huff. 🙂
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what a great spot.
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Yes, you’d like it Andy – this small canal where I usually see geese, ducks and cormorants – this is a first for seeing this Great Egret. I know you like them and have posted about Little Egrets in the past.
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I know they like fish but not sure you want to carry that around in your pocket. LOL!
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Ha ha – I’d have to toss him a little can of sardines then. 🙂 It’s not like toting around peanuts.
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Miss Linda…………………………..those are some awesome looking pictures of the Egret…………………………I never noticed that they have black legs…………………………………….thanks for sharing
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Glad you liked them Ann Marie – there I was. walking along the canal at Elizabeth Park and I saw it out of the corner of my eye. I was surprised about the black legs and those big black feet for such a scrawny body. You’re welcome – glad you liked it.
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Those egrets are pretty spooky. I can’t get very close to them. Do you have any fish in your pocket for egret treats? That’s all they eat (as far as I know)!
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I don’t see them often and that was the first time up close like that. No, I didn’t have any fish for treats – he/she may have stayed longer. So far the squirrels are the easiest to please and do a pose for peanuts. I need to work on everyone’s attitude I guess. 🙂
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That was a treat Linda. I’ve never seen one close up. I’m astonished at how long and thin it’s neck is!
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I know – I was surprised seeing it Joni. And the long legs and big feet. It looked like it needed a good dinner.
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Hi Linda – I have no idea what treats they like— but I would bring sardines if I had the chance to see them and offer snacks
And love the egret with wings spread – so regal indeed
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Sounds like a plan Yvette. Yes, they are so regal, especially when they fly – then they don’t look so thin and scrawny.
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🙂
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The egret is a fun change up. And people don’t use the word “gobsmacked” often enough. It would seem that the egret was gobsmacked when it noticed you.
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I love that word JP – it is one of those great descriptive words. You make a valid point there – he/she caught a glimpse of me and couldn’t get away fast enough.
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We are about a mile inland from the ocean and the bay but every once-in-a-while an egret visits in a neighbor’s front yard. I’m not sure why – and why that yard – but it’s always a treat to see!
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Yes, I don’t see them much around here and never at the Park Creek where I walk daily. We have homeowners that get Sandhill Cranes (about the same size as Egrets) walking around their front yards and meandering to the side or backyards for a bite of birdseed. Thought of you today Janis when I read about the San Andrea Fault – I remember you wrote the post about being worried about it. Stay safe – the pandemic is bad enough.
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Yes egrets love goldfish! Do you know I took off all my netting and plastic milk totes to protect my last 3 or 4 fish. I colored the water a deep blue and I still have fish! I haven’t seen an egret or blue heron in quite a few months! (knock on wood)
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That’s not fair – get your fish the hard way, in the river or creek, not from a pond. Thank goodness your fish lived after all that effort. A fellow blogger just wrote about finding a snake in her pond and it slithered between the rocks before she could get it – she said she warned her fish and frogs to be careful. 🙂
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