20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Egret posed, perfectly balanced, on the frond of a coconut palm tree near Negombo, Sri Lanka

Ever wondered how a heavy-bodied egret could balance on the frond of a coconut palm tree? I was amazed to see an egret near Negombo, Sri Lanka perfectly balanced on a frond without any sway of the frond. The secret? its long legs with long toed gripping feet grasped around the mid-vein of the frond.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: near Negombo, Sri Lanka
Camera: DMC-FZ70
Copyright: © Marilyn Adelman