Gold? Really?
Yes. In 1886, the ethereal, wispy mating plumage of the Snowy Egret sold for $32 an ounce, a figure that surpassed the value of gold.
They were thought to be the ne plus ultra in fashion for the decoration of lady’s hats.
This fact nearly exterminated this wonderful species until wildlife lovers prevailed. Now, Snowies are among the most frequently spotted Shore Birds at places such as the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, where I photographed the friends shown above and below.
It was an exciting moment for me, because rarely had I seen so many Snowy Egrets bedecked at the height of their mating season. If you look closely, you’ll see that the featured photo actually shows not two, but three different birds—including a couple involved with grooming one another.
Below are several different shots of Elendil, engaged in skimming a tidal pool for lunch, before joining his family members at the crown of their roosting tree.
Thank you for this post. This could be the best yet.
Thank you so much! I was really enchanted by these snowies in their full glory. Had rarely seen them this resplendent.