Oct 03 2009
From a Distance
Technology leads to an increase in our knowledge. For example, things once seen only at a distance (the very far and the very small), can now be viewed up close. The result: more information.
As for the above bird photographed here in Florida, from the photo I can only guess that it is either a snowy egret or an immature little blue heron (I don’t remember what I pointed my lense at). Because the snowy has “golden slippers” (yellowish feet), and I can’t see a hint of that above, and because little blue herons are plentiful in the area I snapped the photo, my guess is a little blue (which are fully white as juveniles). But with better technology, in the form of a more powerful telescopic lense, I could have determined that with greater accuracy.
Hmm. I guess there is a slight chance that the bird is actually a great egret. But judging by the size of the blades of the grasses, and the width and bow of the tree branch, I don’t think that is possible.
Any other birdwatchers care to weigh in?
Based on the apparently black legs and feet, and the yellow bill, I’d call it a Great Egret.