Six-Word Photography Challenge

Florida Snow

December Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Snow & White”

A snowy egret — Florida’s winter white.

Since we don’t have snow here in Florida, I had to think outside the box for this prompt, but not too far outside because Snowy Egrets are relatively common around here. Not as common as Great Blue Herons or American Egrets, but I see a few every year.

Snowy Egrets are small herons, distinguishable from other water birds by their all-white body, black bill and legs, yellow feet, and a yellow patch at the base of their bills.

Unlike a lot of other egrets that have darker tan or brown feathers until reaching adulthood, the Snowy Egret starts life with pure white feathers. The only color difference in juveniles is found in their legs which start out light green before darkening to black.

Snowy Egrets were once hunted almost to extinction due to their gorgeous snow-white plumes that were priced at $32 per ounce in the late 1880s — twice the price of gold at that time. Thankfully, conservation efforts in the 1900s not only saved the Snowy Egret but made it more plentiful than ever.

Snowy Egrets are usually found in shallow waters like coastal mudflats and wetlands, where they hunt for small fish.

© Dennett 2021