14 October 2010

Egret, South Luangwa NP, Zambia


In Aotearoa, the only white egret likely to be seen (and even then, rarely) is the great egret (Ardea alba), known here as kotuku or (rather unimaginatively and confusingly) the white heron. Overseas, the possibilities are more extensive. I don't know which species this bird is (perhaps the intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia?)but I certainly enjoyed the sight, despite having seen white-coloured egrets almost everywhere I travelled.

[11 May 2007, Canon 20D, 300 mm f4 L IS, ISO 400, 1/1250 at f8]


All content © 2010 Pete McGregor

2 comments:

Barbara Butler McCoy said...

I like the juxtaposition of the sharp bill and the curve of the egret's back (?) ... it makes me think of the Irish name Fionnula, "white shoulders" ...

pohanginapete said...

Barbara, yes, it did pose very nicely :^) Thanks for pointing out the name, too — I hadn't come across it before, and certainly had no idea of its derivation.