I didn't see a pheasant when I looked at this tree, only the Egret. As the boat drew nearer to the tree the pheasant burst out, startling the egret and me. I tried to get a shot of them as they flew past, but I was much too slow. It wasn't until I looked at the photos at home that I had the pleasure to see I had gotten a shot of the pheasant after all.

This shows all the markings you would look for in identifying this bird in the breeding season. The lacy plumes on the back and the green/blue "mask" that extends from the base of the bill to the eye are only present during this time.

The Audubon Society came into existence to stop the extermination of great Egrets by plume hunters and has this bird as it's logo.

Great Egrets are found world-wide, even in Australia .

These large egrets are graceful and breathtaking in flight. I watched this bird flying back and forth several times bringing nesting material back to it's mate.

There was only one pair that I saw amongst dozens of the smaller Snowy Egrets.

To get a shot of a graceful bird flying is always a coup.

I got this shot just as the egret was landing. Look closely and you can see the feet haven't quite come to rest on the pipe.

I think I am addicted to taking shots of flying egrets.

I was fascinated to watch this egret hunt . He moved very patiently and slowly, then his head would dart into the shallow water and he would come up with a little fish. It must take a lot of little fish to fill such a large bird.

The Great Egret has just caught a small fish.

A bird in flight against an overcast sky framed by jungle trees. A memorable moment.

I just wanted you to know that I chose this most wonderful photo as the background of my work desk top: I looked at a lot of your photos in the past half hour.. it was not an easy choice!! This one worked best because I can see my short cuts on the dark back ground on the bottom-. Thank YOU!!!!!

A great egret at the edge of the bay looking for food. It is a very graceful bird whether walking or flying.

The larger Great Egret was stalked by the smaller Snowy Egret.

A Great Egret strutted by a small flock of Black Vultures on the beach.

When I was in Nicaragua, this egret posed against the blue sky reminded me of California.

A Great Egret takes flight.

The sunlight illuminates the musculature of the egret.