Snowy Egret
Watching a Snowy Egret hunt in the wild lends new appreciation for a bird's ability to find marshy meals with patience and precision. A small white heron's plumage contrasts with the surrounding shallow water, which may seem like a disadvantage, yet unsuspecting prey might lose sight of the Egret depending on position; the bird could appear silhouetted like a reed to prey in the water if the heron hunts with its back to the sun as pictured here. As a heron with elegant feathers, the Snowy Egret once faced extinction from excessive hunting and populations have since recovered under protection.