The Egrets, Great Ones and Snowy Ones

Egrets are very common birds in Bexar County. There are three species that may be found here: great egrets, snowy egrets and cattle egrets. Cattle egrets generally prefer grasslands and pastures. Both the great and the snowy egrets live in aquatic habitats along rivers, creeks, ponds, marshland and mudflats. These two species of egrets are permanent residents along the San Antonio River.

For the casual observer, it is easy to confuse great and snowy egrets. They are very similar birds. As the name implies, great egrets are larger than snowy egrets. Actually, they are much larger, but that doesn't help much if there isn't one of each in the same vicinity to compare sizes. An easy way to distinguish one from the other is by the color of their bill and feet. Great egrets have yellow bills and black feet. Snowy egrets have black bills and yellow feet. Note that they both have black legs, so if their feet are out of sight, that doesn't help distinguish them.

Yesterday, there were several of both species along the Eagleland Reach of the river:

Given their magnificent, elegant beauty, it would be tempting to conclude that photographing these egrets was the highlight of my walk yesterday. I will admit, that is just what I was thinking until I was caught off guard by another one of my truly heart-pounding encounters near the end of the walk. I will post that story and photos on Thursday.