. . . . They are so irresistible, I feel compelled to post more of my recent pictures of Great Egrets from the past week.
The National Audubon Field Guide to Florida says rather bluntly that these beautiful Egrets nest in colonies among other birds, and are “common in roadside ditches.” (p. 305).
Admittedly, they are often seen along the roadside, near canals, and on lawns during the rest of the year – but it’s only fitting that they should gravitate to these romantic wetland tree islands each spring for their courtships and mating!!
The Great Egrets are just too elegant to hang out near roadside ditches when they look this good in their long, flowing “nuptial plumes” and bright green lores.
Just in the past week, more and more Great Egrets have begun to flock to our wetlands and choose their nesting spots, where they will pair off with the partner with whom they will be monogamous for at least this season.
There is actually some debate about that, though, as recent research shows “many apparently monogamous birds” occasionally have an “extra-pair” fling or two during the season, according to the authoritative Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, 2013, p. 71-2.
These stately birds, with their yellow beaks and black legs and feet, are the largest of the pure white Egrets, taller and larger than both the Snowy Egret and the Cattle Egret. 
This post only includes a few photos of the Great Egrets engaging in their dramatic “displaying” and preening behaviors, and building on their nests together!
I will undoubtedly be posting more in the coming weeks 😉
Birder's Journey 
How beautiful they are and even more so when they are decked out in there breeding plumage! thanks for sharing these great pics.
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Thanks for your visit! Hope you are having a spectacular week, Aussiebirder!
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I hope you DO keep posting these photos. The breeding plumage is so spectacular and you have really great captures, BJ. 😀
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Thanks a million, Jet. So glad you enjoyed them! Have a great week~
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I do love your photos go the Great Egret. I wish I would see them here. You are right they are a graceful bird.
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Thanks, Donna! I actually used to see a Great Egret or two in the fall at a preserve near Albany NY. I always wondered when they left to head south.
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The green lores are spectacular and the breeding plumes add additional beauty to the Great Egrets, which you highlight so well in your photos. I hope it won’t be long before we see some in our area, not what the ice is slowly melting.
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Thanks, Mike! Yes, they really do get fancy. I’ll be watching your blog this spring for egret photos, along with all the other wonderful birds you post!
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I love to see these birds in breeding condition with all that extra fluffy plumage and bright green lores!
So funny you mentioned they can be found in drainage ditches. We often see them next to a road here and call them Ditch Egrets which we expect they would not like.
“I am NOT a ditch egret!” we imagine them replying. 🙂
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LOL, Everyone looks so much more sophisticated at this time of year! I love how even the plain Cattle Egrets develop all manner of colors on their heads. Soon, even the usually lovely Snowy Egrets will become even more beautiful with their red legs and red facial colors.
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Now I know what to look for, thanks
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☺️
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