I'd Rather B Birdin': Reddish, Whitish and Blackish all over...

Note: American Birding Association has named the Green Heron the Bird of the Year for 2015

I'll begin this post with a little comedy relief while leaving a birding area a few weeks back. I'm also relying on my photo albums from long ago since I've not been out birding lately. This first bird, the Moorhen, had found some cattail root and was oh so curious...

COMMON MOORHEN
photos taken: Port Arnasas Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Common Moorhen

Then, from September of 2014, a rare Reddish Egret was spotted. Guide books state these as a species of concern since fewer by the year are reported. Luckily, here in South Texas they have been plentiful at times. This is the Reddish Egret....in 'red'. They do go through a white morph also. But in order to differentiate them from other 'more common' egrets pay attention to their dining behavior. They are known to go into a 'frenzied' dance routine while feeding. Twisting, turning, canopying [last photo will explain the reference to canopy], pulling an entire 360 degree turn, and all amok in motion. Altho, some birders from the Texas Birding Association have witnessed other egrets of the same dance routine and not being the Reddish Egret...there is some confusion. But, I also check the feeding frenzy THEN check the bill...if the bill is pinkish to black, it's a Reddish Egret!!! I watched a white morph Reddish Egret feeding a few months later, in December 'winter' garb [same species as above in the grey/reddish]...

This Behavior with outstretched wings is canopying

REDDISH EGRET
photos taken: Indian Point Park/Sunset Lakes - Portland, Texas
habitat map: Reddish Egret

Now, share your birding experiences:

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25 comments:

ElaJanuary 17, 2015 at 12:43 PM
Beautiful birds and great shots !
Have a happy weekend !
Kenneth Cole SchneiderJanuary 17, 2015 at 1:13 PM
Nice that you have photographed both color morphs of the Reddish Egret. I have only gotten the red in addition to an immature one that visited our local wetlands 18 miles inland. That moorhen certainly has looked at the cattail root every whcih way! I featured the Green Heron in my blog today to celebrate its ABA designation.
Ginny HartzlerJanuary 17, 2015 at 1:37 PM
A Moorhen! That is special, I have never seen one. For some reason he reminds me of England. Maybe it is the reference to Moors. The series of Egret pictures are really something! He looks like he is running, or excited. Is he doing that dance routine? I love visiting and seeing all the pretty lavender, I can almost smell it!
eileeninmdJanuary 17, 2015 at 1:58 PM
I hope you are feeling better, wonderful images, Anni! I have yet to see the Reddish Egret, so it is on my wish list.. Great birds! Thanks for hosting..Happy weekend!
Ruth HiebertJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:08 PM
Beautiful photos and descriptions.
TexWisGirlJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:25 PM
all birds i've not seen in person. :)
Maude LynnJanuary 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Beautiful shots, Anni!
tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.comJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:56 PM
great shots & info! Phyllis
Lovable DerekJanuary 17, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Great photos. I'm especially impressed by your egret photos. We have many egrets in the local area but it's impossible to approach within forty metres of them. They fly off even when they see us on the other side of the field. You've done great!!!

Have a good week.
UnknownJanuary 18, 2015 at 1:55 AM
Wonderful photos of the beautiful birds. I wish you a peaceful Sunday.
Margaret Birding For PleasureJanuary 18, 2015 at 2:45 AM
Fantastic bird images. Love the last one, never see one doing that. Have a good week.
Mary Howell CromerJanuary 18, 2015 at 4:47 AM
These are all a delightful set of bird images Anni. Have a great week~
Elizabeth EdwardsJanuary 18, 2015 at 7:58 AM
i completely forgot to comment. oops. i am back too. such a graceful bird. i see you took away your photo - i miss seeing you. always fun to see my friend from Texas. take care. ( :
BreathtakingJanuary 18, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Hello Anni!:) Wonderful series of shots. I have yet to see the colourful.Morehen and would love to see the Egret dance.

Sorry to learn you have not been well, hope you are feeling better.
Warm Regards.
Black Jack's CarolJanuary 18, 2015 at 11:01 AM
Such a wonderful post, Anni. Beautiful photographs and so much to learn. I am coming back this evening to visit other bloggers. I hope you are out birding as I write :)
photodougJanuary 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Anni, colorful collage. Thanks for sharing.
NatureFootstepJanuary 18, 2015 at 4:10 PM
I love the Moorhen. It is one of my favourite birds :) We had one pair in the pond 2 miles from my home last summer.Kept me busy even if I can´t get close enough to them
Phil SladeJanuary 19, 2015 at 3:21 AM
Good morning from Spain. Yes I'm in sunny Lanzarote for a while to escape the UK weather. I'm for a feeding frenzy now and again and maybe a drink or two of sangria.

You and Bud take care Anni. Catch up with you soon.
DeniseinVAJanuary 19, 2015 at 8:32 PM
Wonderful series of photos Anni but so sorry you haven't been feeling well. Hope by now that you are on the mend. Have a great week :)

Bethany CarsonJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:00 PM
Beautiful shots of the egrets, Anni! Hope you feel better soon!
MTWagginJanuary 20, 2015 at 7:34 AM
Nice post and I learned there is a moorhen that looks just like a red billed coot! Who knew! LOL
Gail DixonJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:26 PM
Awesome shots of the Reddish Egret! I did not know that there was a "white" variety. Wonderful images of the Moorhen. I finally saw one last spring. Don't think I'll ever see the Reddish. Hope you are feeling much better!
HelmaJanuary 21, 2015 at 2:11 PM
Again, a blog full of beautiful birds. I am impressed by the heron in picture 4. Which I find really great to see.
Greetings, Helma
PatJanuary 21, 2015 at 6:35 PM
Great shots of the Moorhen. Neat seeing the canopying behavior of the lovely Egret.
Coloring Outside the LinesJanuary 22, 2015 at 6:24 AM
How cool! I did not know that about the "reddish" egret- nor the white. I learn so much here- thanks Anni!

Reddish, Whitish and Blackish all over...

25 comments:

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