This is Eglantine, mother to Edith and Edgar, enjoying a quiet moment of alone time…
And it’s one of my favorite portraits of a mature Great Egret because of the character it reveals. Very often I find these beautiful birds inscrutable — tight-billed, sleek and white, going about their business gracefully.
But here Eglantine is clearly taking a breather, relaxing, not tending her hatchlings nor fishing. Just being herself. If you zoom in on her bill, you’ll see a bit of something on the tip, so perhaps she’s also relishing her catch of a fish or frog.
God bless you Eglantine and Imhope to see you come spring!
