Spring 2022 Shorebirds on Outback Key
May 8, 2022 - You can't go to Fort de Soto without laughing at the antics of the Reddish Egrets.... Read more
Reddish Egret
 | I’m a fun bird of Florida’s beaches. I’m best known for my “drunken sailor” dance, in which I fling my wings out and run haphazardly through the waves, throwing my shadow on the fish I’m trying to catch. I’m especially pretty in my breeding plumage! Most Likely Found: At the beach When: Year-Round Where I've photographed: Fort De Soto, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Read more: Reddish Egret at Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ebird: Reddish Egret eBird range |
I have written 16 posts including a photo of a Reddish Egret
Rainy Morning at Fort De Soto Wading Pools
August 15, 2021 - Plenty of Snowy Egrets, a Great Egret, a dark-morph Reddish Egret, a White Ibis, and a few peeps along the edge of the water.... The Reddish Egret worked his way to me, then stopped to preen in between fish.... The Reddish Egret wasn't the only "drunken sailors" that morning.... Read more
Lazy Laughing Gulls at North Beach
July 21, 2021 - As usual, I ran into "Big Red" the Reddish Egret along the ocean's edge.... Read more
More Fun Birds from Outback Key!
June 25, 2021 - Reddish Egret Big Red apparently isn't the only bird that knows the drunken sailor dance, either.... Read more
Wading Pools at Fort De Soto’s North Beach
June 13, 2021 - This is one of the dark-morph Reddish Egrets that hangs out at Fort De Soto.... Read more
Magical Morning at Fort De Soto
May 25, 2021 - As I left North Beach, I found one of the Reddish Egrets fishing in a small pool near the parking lot.... Read more
An Apple a Day and the Birds will Play!
June 15, 2019 - We spotted one of the local Reddish Egrets, also known as "Big Red," off in the surf.... Read more
Fort de Soto Photography in Early April
April 5, 2017 - A Reddish Egret, dubbed "Big Red" by the locals, was doing his drunken sailor dance in the surf.... Read more
Vacation Beginnings at Fort De Soto
April 29, 2015 - Fort De Soto is known for its tame Reddish Egrets, who entertain photographers with their "drunken sailor dances" as they go fishing.... On this morning, a lone Reddish Egret stood with his head defiantly facing the wind.... Read more
Springtime Bird Photography at Fort De Soto
April 15, 2014 - The Reddish Egrets are in wonderful breeding colors right now.... I was very lucky when a Reddish Egret flew in right in front of me, and posed nicely for a long time.... The Reddish Egret wasn't the only show-off.... Read more
Pleasant Morning at Fort De Soto
May 1, 2013 - Just as I was getting ready to pack up my Beast and head to the Mulberry trees, this Reddish Egret White Morph flew up.... Read more
Three Hours Sitting in One Spot at Fort De Soto
April 24, 2012 - I had hoped the Reddish Egret White Morph would pose for me. I have plenty of shots of his cousin Big Red, but I've only seen the White Morph once. Lucky for me, I was able to focus fast as he flew by… More fun from Fort De Soto coming…... Read more
Tiny Stilts and Willets at Merritt Island NWR
June 12, 2011 - Mom and Baby Willet The tiny Willet has such big feet, made bigger when the mud sticks to them. He made me laugh as he hopped along the water's edge. Then he peered down into the water, giving me a beautiful reflection shot. "Oooohh, is that me? Gee, is my…... Read more
Of Drunken Sailors and Crab Legs (Fort De Soto)
May 21, 2011 - After a long week at work, I was itching for a photography adventure. So I got up at 4 on Saturday morning and drove to Fort De Soto for sunrise. But I did have a great morning at North Beach, enjoying especially the antics of the Reddish Egrets. They are…... Read more
Sunrise at Fort De Soto
April 23, 2011 - American Oystercatcher The Laughing Gulls flew around me constantly, and I tried to get good shots of them in flight and landing. They were fun to watch as they tried to attract a mate: Laughing Gull Laughing Gulls mating A Reddish Egret flew by me and landed farther down on…... Read more
My First Trip to Fort De Soto
September 4, 2010 - Ruddy Turnstone - Breeding plumage Ruddy Turnstone - Alternate plumage I took a break from photographing the flocks of shorebirds and turned my attention to the little pond of water up on the beach. There I was excited to see a Reddish Egret (White Morph) as well as a "regular"…... Read more