This little beauty was hauled out for a sun bath and paid no attention to us, despite his reputation for "sliding" back into the water when disturbed.
Those stunning breeding plumes were once the cause of the demise of 95% of all Great Egrets in the US. They were killed for the feathers that were used to adorn women's hats in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. This practice was banned in 1910.
The male Great Egret selects the nest site to do his display. He also starts the nest, then the pair finish it. The male might complete it himself. Look at the twig in the bird's mouth.
