This is a re-run post FOR WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY. A few weeks ago, Springman, our accommodating host, suggested that we consider re-posting bird pictures from before joining WBW. This post was originally written in 2008
When there's a group of birders, the good spotters give directions by saying things like (for instance) "I have an orchard oriole in the tree at about 3 p.m..." Or "Do you have the blue heron at the edge of the marsh?" It really helps beginners like me to know where to focus the binoculars (and to learn what it is that we're seeing). I don't know why they always say "I have.." instead of "I see..". I guess because when you spot the bird for the first time, you have added it to your list of birds.
During a winter in Port Aransas Texas, one of the resident experts at Paradise Pond asked me if I had egrets. I misunderstood her for a minute and ever since then, a certain Frank Sinatra song has run through my head every time I see one of these beautiful birds. So I thought maybe I'd take the song out of my head and put it in yours.** (See note below if you need any help.)
We have actually had quite a few egrets.
There are cattle egrets in fields along the road in lots of states. (These are the smaller cousins of the family.) When we were in Louisiana, they were in their beautiful breeding plumage. Louisiana is also where we saw the most Great Egrets that we've ever seen in one place. This was at Bird Island where the McIlhanely Family pretty much saved the species from extinction.
There are even a few of these beautiful birds here on Fern Ridge Lake. Which is why my head is singing that song again.
It's harder to get a good picture here, but this is an Oregon egret flying over the marsh at the edge of the Lake.
The ones in Louisiana and Texas posed better for us:
Bird Island
Our RV Park in Fulton TX
** "My Way" Lyrics by Paul Anka.
"I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
and more much more than this
I did it my way.
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exception
I planned each chartered course
Each careful step along the byway
And more much more than this
I did it my way."
I guess I've had a few as well, especially photographing egrets. The jolly things are just so far away and usually very skittish in the wild. Great collection of shots.
Sally, thank you for your sweet comments on my blog . . . much appreciated.
Posted by: Arija | October 13, 2011 at 03:03 AM
LOL - funny title! Your comment was loaded up OK on my blog. So it could have been you, or it could have been Wordpress...Hope that the problem is solved now.
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 12, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Sallie, I'm glad you took Springman's advice. Great photos of the Egrets! I also enjoyed your humor...regarding the song.:-)
Posted by: Jean | October 12, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Classic! Nice photos - I've been around birders so the terminology is new to me.
Posted by: Al | October 12, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Great title! :) These are beautiful shots of the Egrets!
Posted by: Pat | October 12, 2011 at 02:40 PM
I love egrets... ad the song ! it's now in my head for a while !
Posted by: Annie-France | October 12, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Egrets and regrets, they rhyme. I love this song, too!
Hey, Sallie, Nature Footsteps has a new meme called NatureFootstep Waters.
Posted by: Ebie | October 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM
I am an easy target for mental espionage such as you have perpetrated here. Still, "Egrets,I've had a few" is funny enough that I don't mind running the song on my mental mp3 player for a few turns. I'm sure that opening line will come to me the next time I see one of the big birds. How poor would our world be without Great egrets and their cousins stalking our wetlands? Regrets? Losing them would have been one to many!
Brilliant post!
Posted by: springman | October 12, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Wonderful shots and post about the egrets. They are such beautiful birds.
Posted by: Carver | October 12, 2011 at 11:21 AM
LOL i'm also humming the song, your version.:p
i remember a line from a movie--there is no greater sorrow than regret.
Posted by: Luna Miranda | October 12, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Egrets are so graceful by air and land alike.. especially the Snowy's with their beautiful lone feathers.
Great post and photos, Sallie. Well worth reposting.
huhs,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | October 12, 2011 at 06:50 AM
your post title is wonderful :)
egrets are exceptionally beautiful to me, so graceful
Posted by: dianne | October 12, 2011 at 06:03 AM
Egrets are so cool to watch, I love them and I love your post:)
Hugs
Joo
Posted by: joo | October 12, 2011 at 02:49 AM
Hi there - you can’t call me original in the choice of my blog names! Also, I've changed the comment format on my "big" blog so you can leave comments.
Spent more than a little time on my last trip trying to get pictures of White Necked Herons - with little success. Wish they would have cooperated more!
Cheers - SM
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | October 12, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Yep, you did it! I'll never see these birds the same way again. Love your sense of humor, Sallie.
Posted by: Clair Z. | October 11, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Sallie, henceforth, I will be singing My Way every time I see egrets! You did it your way. It is now in my head.
I'm glad you reposted or I might not have seen this and learned a few birder ways. I'm always trying to point out to Tom a bird I see and say, "there, no, over there" and more often than not it flies away before he spots it. I will remember to use the hands of the clock. In fact, it will work for deer on our property as well. "oh, dear, there's a deer at 3 o'clock".
I love egrets, and your pictures are beautiful.
Posted by: Penny | October 11, 2011 at 06:50 PM
The egrets are beautiful! I really like the last photo of the egret on the railing! Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate it!
Posted by: heyBJK | October 11, 2011 at 06:28 PM
Just a hoot. Love the photos.
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | October 11, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Wonderful shots of the Egrets, Sallie! They are all beautiful birds. The Cattle Egret is especially cute because of its size.
Posted by: Eileen | October 11, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Egrets are beautiful and fun to watch. I usually see them around the bay fishing in the shallows or perching in a tree until the tide goes out. Great photos.
Posted by: Mick | October 11, 2011 at 01:24 PM
caravans in the background of Egret images doesnt seem right...lol
Ive got the song all night now
Posted by: Dave | October 11, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Proud looking aren't they?? Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | October 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM
A lovely post Sallie..and like Theresa I don't want that song running through my mind...
I have a limk to this post and where you are staying (by name only) my surname you may have missed is Fulton.
Take care.. big hugs
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew | October 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM
ha ha! laughing at your attempt to supplant that song into my head! i skipped right past the lyrics in protest!!! :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | October 11, 2011 at 10:34 AM