H is for herons (and egrets) and house-sitting
Today is mostly a bird lesson. This is because I needed to take time to sort out the different herons that we have seen. We have three for today - egrets (great white and little egrets), cattle egrets and other herons. I believe (and could be wrong) that all are herons. The heron classification is broad and includes many colors/colours and shapes. Egrets are more slightly built and are white. Many have breeding plumage (aigrettes). We have seen great white egrets often this trip. Fun factoid: their legs turn from yellow to black as they enter the breeding season. Note the different leg colors in these: Cattle egrets are typically identified near cattle. If in breeding season, they typically have a buff head. Apparently they find cattle a reliable source of ticks and flies, ready for the picking! Then we have the very strident white faced herons. These birds nest in trees and feel it necessary to squawk loudly as they fly overhead! This little one is also a heron - a g...