Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County Wisconsin May 29, 2014

The ride paid off for the report of the Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County. It was still present when I arrived at 3:25 pm far off the road in a flooded field. This location is just east of the city on Hwy 106, south side of the highway. A life bird for me which made it exciting. Images were taken on May 29, 2014.

Great Egret - left, Snowy Egret, right.

Great Egret – left, Snowy Egret, right

Snowy Egret

Binomial name: Egretta thula

Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies

Size: 24” long, 41” wing span

Weight: 13 oz.

Habitat: Typically they are found on most coasts of the US and Mexico but sometimes can be found breeding inland in wetland areas, mudflats and beaches. They forage in both freshwater and marine habitats preferring shallow sheltered estuarine areas. The breeding range is from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern US to South America.

Diet: Fish, crustacean, insects and smaller reptiles.

Nesting: They nest in colonies, usually with other wading birds. They like platform type nests made of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nests are flat 14”-18” across, 8”-13” high, lined with rushes, grasses, sedges and twigs. 3-4 eggs are incubated by both adults before the young leave the nest which is 20-25 days.

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

2 Great Egrets - left, Snowy Egret, right

2 Great Egrets – left, Snowy Egret – right

Great Egret - right, Snowy Egret, left

Great Egret – right, Snowy Egret – left

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret, down under!

Snowy Egret, down under!

Snowy Egret, left, Great Egret, right

Snowy Egret – left, Great Egret – right

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

4 Responses to Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County Wisconsin May 29, 2014

  1. Michael J. matusinec says:

    Nice captures on the Egrets, I have not seen snowy in a long time.

  2. Nancy Nabak says:

    Nice captures and nailing the reflections and comparisons, Jim! Ding! Another lifer! Cool!

  3. Robin Booth says:

    What month do snowy egrets breed? Were they breeding when you took these photos?

    • Ken Burbey says:

      We have about 50 egrets living along the White River in Burlington Wisconsin. They are at the dam in downtown Burlington daily. It’s AWESOME

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