There’s no way to make this photo better. The light was low, the egret was moving fast, and the photographer was blurry. But I think the shot, for all its flaws, captures Egretta thula rather well: splayed primaries, crane grace, a hint of mane at nape of neck, and those feet!

That was my morning, anyway.

Heartfelt thanks to the reader who sent along Gary Nabhan’s book on tequila from my Amazon wish list. A more personal note of gratitude is on its way. And thanks as well to Stephanie after a long silence for surprising me, and perhaps you, with the post below. What a wonderful winter read!

1. 
   craig 2005 12 20 at 1:36:16 am

   I’ve got these in my back yard, along with big grey things, medium sized grey things, and a few loons.

2. 
   pablo 2005 12 20 at 9:06:11 am

   “the photographer was blurry”? Tell me more!

3. 
   beth 2005 12 20 at 11:17:58 am

   Beautiful! This made my morning a lot brighter (love those little orange feet!)

4. 
   Ron Sullivan 2005 12 20 at 2:31:39 pm

   Birders talking about fieldmarks actually call those feet “golden slippers.” Who’s afraid of the big bad gooshy metaphor?

   Craig, given where you are, those big things might be sandhill cranes. Look twice; a number of whooping cranes have been fostered by Florida sandhills over the last decade or so. Cows are scared of whoopers. I like that.

    

   Chris, get your brother a fieldguide for Saturnalia.

5. 
   Rita Xavier 2005 12 20 at 3:29:31 pm

   Chris, I love this photo! The stark contrast between the white bird and dark, blurry background is great.

   Ron, At Carrie’s house the sandhill cranes come right up to you and beg for food — take it out of your hands.

6. 
   GrrlScientist 2005 12 21 at 12:10:37 am

   blur

   movement

    

   life

7. 
   the_bone 2005 12 21 at 1:14:40 am

   Question:  How do I purchase a book for you that is not on your wishlist?  I have one that I think you’ll enjoy, and don’t want to give away the surprise.

8. 
   kabbage 2005 12 23 at 2:17:05 am

   We have blue herons in my area (outside PDX).  Today I had one of my dogs out (celebrating her 10th birthday by *both* of us splashing through puddles in a local park/wetland), and we saw 5 white birds the shape of herons, possibly a little smaller.  I didn’t want my dog to disturb them, so didn’t get close enough to see beak or feet color.