Florida Snow
Out of the cool morning mist, two ethereal wings of purest white floated aloft. Feathered perfection danced on a breeze; then settled to kiss the sand with golden slippers.
With delicate agility a Snowy Egret skittered here and there along a narrow tidal pool inlet.
Perhaps over here...
Excited now by minnows darting for cover, the Snowy illusion moved in more of a cha-cha-cha than a ballet deftly cornering the object of its intention.
A Saltly Snack
Quicker than a wink, Snowy’s adroit beak seized a minnow. It takes many of these to fill a hungry belly. Fluttering, jerking, waiting; stabbing, the feeding continued until someone had to notice. With a raspy squawk a supplanter announced his arrival.
The Takeover
Acquisition followed intimidation and the inlet changed hands–er, beaks. Snowy I took wing as Snowy II began to rule.
Snowy II
In that this was the inlet’s first “Snowfall” of the day and that another might come quickly, I thought it prudent to post a portrait of the currently reigning monarch.
As you can see, the Snow falls differently in Florida.
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Great snowy shots, Karen.
Thank you. I love watching Snowy Egrets. They’re beautiful and comical, all at the same time. Glad you’re back safely from Africa. I enjoy your blog.
Snowy Egrets are so graceful and beautiful. I love their pure white feathers, just as beautiful as a new snowfall. Glad you had a chance to enjoy some snow down South!
What a beautiful post Joy! (I’m calling you that from now on because that is what you bring me…)
You have an eloquence both in words and images that is lovely to behold. Thank you for sharing these! You make me long for Florida even moreso now though…everything here is so gray, dirty and frozen. This is the hardest time of year for me, but your images allow me to live in warmth, surrounded by color, vicariously for a few moments. 🙂
Joy–a name to live up to. Thank you. This is the best time of year in Florida. It’s actually possible to open the windows and live without air conditioning. When you’re in that state, however, we swelter under 90+ degree heat and sauna like humidity. I grew up in the North, so I understand, but even in the depths of winter there is beauty. Take you, for example! Feel better soon.
And all this time I thought all the snowbirds in Florida came from Michigan and Ontario, eh?
This was a great post, Karen – full of beauty and laughter.
Thank you, Gerry. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
The first and last are AMAZING!
Thank you. I almost dumped the first shot because it’s not perfectly sharp, but then decided that I liked it that way. The last is cropped. That bird had a real attitude. It makes me smile just to remember him.
How beautiful! The first image is the one that speaks most to me. I believe I saw a white egret this past spring in Nova Scotia. I didn’t get this close. What a gorgeous creature it is.
Nova Scotia–what a beautiful place. I guess egrets are uncommon sightings there, but you have so many other wonderful northern birds that I never see.
Lovely! I’d trade your “snow” for ours anyday! 🙂 We typically get a few egrets over at the pond in late March. No, I can’t wait for their arrival!
Aww…I miss snow. I guess too much of a good thing makes us dream of greener grass. I’ll be sure to send the egrets in March. It’ll arrive sooner than you think.
This is the first time I’ve been here – thanx to Amy @ Flandrum Hill! Beautiful photos and words! One of my favorite birds (I’m in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) is the blue heron….cousins, I think?!? Can’t wait to come visit again! 🙂
Welcome, Cindy. You are so blessed to live in the U. P. I grew up downstate and miss northern life. Yes, all egrets and herons are in the same family–a rather large family of 59 species.
Photos of flying, hunting and agitating white with words to give them some personality. You always come through, MJ! Thank you for participating in my latest assignment!
Thanks, Scott. Participating in your assignment was fun. I look forward to the next one!
Thanks for your little story Karen. And for the beautiful series of snow bird portraits 😉
I’m glad you did not dump #1, it is a very good picture. Your cropping and (possible) adjustments of light is perfect. I like sharp images, but it is a minor detail in many connexions.
Thank you, Carsten. You’re an encouragement to me and I value your input highly.
Lovely! I’m wishing that is the type of “snow” I was looking at right now. Great interpretation of Scott’s challenge.
I guess we do with what we have and appreciate its beauty. I wouldn’t mind a winter wonderland vacation. = D
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That first image is fabulous – I love the white on white!
Thank you, Jennifer, and welcome to Morningjoy. I hope you will return.
Such a beautiful bird and photos, I’d love to see it in person one day.
I am glad to meet you, Nye. I perused your blog and found it interesting. I know I will return.
Thank you for your comment. If you live in the Southeastern United States, you have a good chance of seeing this bird. It prefers marshes, ponds, swamps, and mudflats. It’s a beautiful bird to behold.