13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Reddish Egret on the hunt

This is a capture of a Reddish Egret (White Morph) exhibiting canopy hunting behavior in the the early morning light of temperate Southern Florida in February. White Morphs exhibit the same canopy behavior as the Reddish Egret and so can be loads of fun to just watch their elaborate dance. Canopy behavior is essentially where they shade the water with their wings to reduce glare and increase their kill rate.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2015
Date Uploaded: 07.2015
Photo Location: Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D7000
Copyright: © Karin Leperi