By pure luck we came across these two Great Egrets mating. It was fascinating to watch.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
GREAT EGRETS IN BEAUTIFUL BREEDING PLUMAGE, WAKADAHATCHEE WETLANDS, DELRAY BEACH, FL
These Great Egrets are all in their beautiful breeding plumage:
- They have long lacy and delicate plumes on their back that curl over their tail. These plumes are called aigrettes. They have stiff quills and are able to be fanned in courtship.
- The lores become bright green. You can really see this in the third photo.
BREEDING WHITE IBIS, WAKADAHATCHEE WETLANDS, DELRAY BEACH, FL
During breeding season the legs and bills of the White Ibis turn red, as seen in these photos.
CLOSEUPS OF ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, WAKODAHATCHEE WETLANDS, DELRAY BEACH, FL
One of the great things about Wakodahatchee Wetlands is that you can get very close to the birds without them being scared off. This includes nesting birds. Its an amazing place. These Roseate Spoonbills were only few yards away. In the third photo the birds to the right of the spoonbill are Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
BREEDING ANHINGA DRYING ITS WINGS, LOXAHATCHEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BOYNTON BEACH, FL
This male Anhinga is in breeding plumage: a bright blue patch of skin surrounds its blood-red eyes and it has developed a mane.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)