What Is This Egret?

[Mark Itol]

... if this is an egret in the first place.

I was able to take some photos of this bird while it was traversing the bank searching for food.

It was interesting observing it hunt for food.

Shots were taken in Oohori Kouen, Fukuoka, Japan.

Thanks for taking your time.

Target Locked
D40, 70-300 VR @ 125mm, Manual Exposure, ISO 400, 1/80s @ f/6.3, Flash fired, Handheld


A Close-Up
D40, 70-300 VR @ 300mm, Manual Exposure, ISO 400, 1/80s @ f/6.3, Handheld


Searching The Waters
D40, 70-300 VR @ 185mm, Manual Exposure, ISO 400, 1/250s @ f/6.3, Handheld


PS: I just missed the moment it struck its target -- I was busy chimping.

[steve pryor]

Mark,
Look at the aboral extension of the gape line. Look at the serpentine neck. Ardea alba.

[Bobby Kintanar]

Looks like a Great Egret in breeding plumage to me. Let's wait for the others. Greta shots , by the way. :-)

[Mark Itol]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys. I don't really have much knowledge about birds, I just love to take photos of them. But I'm learning here. Hopefully someday I'd be able to just look at a bird and say "It's a <bird name>!"