Great Egret

This is a chance shot I took over the weekend - of a Great Egret passing by the house. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

See more photos and info here.

Great Egret

This one is sometimes mistakenly called a "snowy egret". The snowy egret is a smaller bird, albeit similar in appearance. While both are white and members of the heron family, the Great Egret has a yellow bill and is much larger than the black-billed Snowy Egret. The Great Egret is the symbol of the Audubon Society and is a permanent resident of gulf coastal areas. They also inhabit inland bodies of water, particularly during warmer months in the panhandle.