Snowy Egret – “Golden Slippers” Running On Water

The distinctive bright yellow feet and deeply contrasting jet-black legs of the Snowy Egret can really grab your eye when they’re visible above the water’s surface or even when the egret is in flight – so much so that both the bird and its feet are often referred to as “golden slippers”.

 

snowy egret 7552 ron dudley

1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

Nine days ago I photographed this egret as it was frantically hunting for small fish and invertebrates on Glover’s Pond.  I enjoy seeing the bird running across the surface as it used its wings for support and propulsion in pursuit of prey but it’s mostly those distinctive feet that catch my eye.

There are 34 described hunting behaviors in herons (egrets are considered to be herons) and Snowy Egrets employ 21 of them.  Five of those 21 hunting techniques (foot-raking, foot-probing, foot-paddling, foot-dragging and especially foot-stirring) take full advantage of those shockingly bright feet which they use to scare up prey hiding in or near the substrate.  I’ve often watched these egrets using “foot stirring” to disturb prey as they hunt.

Every time I see that behavior or those yellow feet I marvel once again at the wonders of adaptation and evolution.

Ron

Note:  The bird is a bit centered in the frame but I wanted to include as much of the water disturbance as was practical. 

18 Comments

  1. Charlotte Norton

    Wonderful shot Ron!
    Charlotte

  2. Thanks Ron. And Patty. Another ear worm over here. Sigh.

  3. Good Morning Ron,
    In my opinion that is one of your best pictures. It truly captures the behavior of the Snowy.
    Len

  4. Ron–Sorry for the ear worm…if it’s any solice, I did ot to myself, too…only difference is that I deserve it P. 🙂

  5. Snowy Egrets are one of my favorite herons. I just love the golden yellow feet and lores. This is a beautiful photograph. Thank you

  6. Stunning portrait! Sometimes I have questions about which egret I’m looking at, but after seeing this photo, I’ll never again be at a loss for identifying a snowy egret.

  7. Jorge H. Oliveira

    And for me the sound that echoes in my head when I see this image is the Pink Panther Theme Song.
    Great shot, so sharp and neat.

  8. This has got to be one of my favorite shots yet. Just beautiful Ron.

  9. I love it! My first thought was of Tiny Tim singing “Tip Toeing Through The Tulips”. I think the compostion is perfect. I love the water trail and the partial reflection….wouldn’t change a single thing in any way. Comments were very interesting, too…as usual.

  10. Great shot! Those yellow feet almost look like they were painted on…..Thanks!

  11. Positively magical – and I like ‘golden slippers’! Your egret looks like a character from a fairy tale…

  12. Fantastic shot!

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