Hey, Cattle Egret… it’s time for your makeover…

Oh you sexy thing!

First photo was taken last fall. Second photo was taken a couple of days ago at the amazing and renowned Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach. It was our first visit during nesting season and there was LOTS to see. I took a thousand photos, for real. I will be posting some of the good ones over a few days.

I had noticed a bit of buff coloring on breeding Cattle Egrets before but never have I seen the candy corn bill and purple “lores” just in front of the eyes. Eyes are a different color too!

A boardwalk through the wetlands gets you closer to the birds.

This female Anhinga is also in breeding plumage with a blue ring around her eyes and a greenish tinge to her lores. Her chin is black too.

She let me stand right next to her and take this glamour shot.

Hello, bird.

Glossy Ibis chick!

Chubby and fluffy like chick, but with a bit of ibis curve to the (striped) bill already.

Great Egret chicks watches the skies for the return of mom/ dad.

I played hide-and-seek with a Green Heron.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck at rest.

They have longer legs than you might guess.

Another a water’s edge.