The Great Egrets are the most likely birds to contest prime nest sites at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm rookery with the Wood Storks. They generally loose out for the tree-top sites, but they make up the whole of the next story down. This bird did, somehow, end up with a penthouse suite and was making the most of it by displaying on the balcony. You can see the green lores, one of the features of full breeding plumage.

When I visit in late April, you already find Great Egret nests at all stages of development, from newly laid eggs, to chicks about ready to fledge.

And, of course, there is nothing quite like a Great Egret in flight…and birds are in flight somewhere almost continuously at the rookery.

Great Egret winds are a wonder, even when all the bird is doing is preening.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.  1) 655mm equivalent field of view, f5.8 @ 1/800th @ ISO 100.  2) 560mm equivalent, f5.8 @ 1/640th @ ISO 200. 3) 350mm, f5 @ 1/800th @ ISO 200. 4) 500mm, f6.3 @ 1/1250th @ ISO 200. 5) 350mm, f5 @ 1/800th @ ISO 200. 6) 370mm, f5 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 100. 7) and 8) 340mm, f5 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 160. 9) 340mm, f5 @ 1/640th @ ISO 200.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.