There is a little corner of the lake at West Lake Park where I have seen 5 different species of heron in the last few days. Can you imagine that? This morning I photographed both Louisiana Heron and Great Egret. The white series of herons can at times be confusing if you don’t keep your wits about you. I was watching this Great Eget today without taking too much notice and when I got back home realised that of course it wasn’ a Snowy Egret which are much, much smaller and have a black beak. Th yellow beak of the Great is diagnostic. But then, immature Little Blue Heron are white as well bu have yellow legs instead of black. To make matters even more confusing there is a “white form” of Redish Egret with a black tipped pinkish beak. So as a casual visitor like myself you have to be on the ball as we say. Oh, I forgot to mentio the white morph of the Great Blue Heron known as “Great White Heron”. I am getting more and more confused by the second!
The one below is a Louisiana Heron, the most attractive feature is the contrasting white plume which flicks around in the wind. This bird also has a very contrasting white belly which is more notieceable when the bird opens it’s wings.