Saturday, August 15, 2009

Egrets and Herons at Emiquon

On Saturday August 15, after the Emiquon Corps of Discovery meeting, Ed and I drove the levee around Thompson Lake. The sky was so hazy that you could barely see the bluff in the background. The haze over the lake created a surreal beauty.

FromSELeveeEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8024

I photographed a Black-crowned Night-heron and found a Green Heron lurking in the shadows when I processed the photo:

GreenBCNHeronsEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8034

Egrets like to hang out on the pumping structure on the River side of the preserve.

EgretsPumpStationEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8076

Three juvenile Little Blue Herons (one on either end and one on the lower level), two Cattle Egrets (one behind the Little Blue on the left) and a Great Egret. What a difference in size!

EgretsPumpStructureEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8120

Here is a link to the large size to make it easier to see the LB Herons.
farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3829869253_a833e 618d5_b.jpg

Cattle egrets like to hunt bugs on the levee.

CattleEgretsEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8098

As we drove past, they calmly moved down to the waters edge. After we passed, they moved back up the levee.

CattleEgretsEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8200

Pelicans were congregating far out on the lake on the ridge between Thompson and Flag Lakes.

PelicansEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8237

Most of the egrets flew away as we approached, but this one Great Egret stood his ground at the base of the levee.

GreatEgretEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8257

The eagle nest is difficult to spot through the foliage.

EagleNestEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8296

After driving the levee we drove Clark Road. The cows were in the pasture along side the road, and the Cattle Egrets were there feasting on flies!

CowCattleEgretsEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8299

CowsCattleEgretEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8305

CowsCattleEgretEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8306

CalfCattleEgretEmiquon08152009JGWIMG_8321

No comments: