When Francois sent me an image of a presumed Snowy Egret he got at Jamaica Bay this weekend I immediately set about trying to turn it into something else. It turns out that sometimes Snowy Egrets in breeding plumage have pink lores. And this bird had really pink lores! Check out the awesome shots Francois got.
I just learned about the pink lores this year…I’ve yet to see it myself…they are reserved for birds in ultra-facemelt mode.
Always pays to look at a field guide.
@Felonious Jive: Seriously. Facemelt supreme!
@rick wright: Yeah, Sibley didn’t mention that.
If I remember right it’s well illustrated in NatGeo.
Greetings from the land of blue-faced Squacco Herons–
Yeah, a quick Google search ended up stilling my overexcited heart but I was briefly hoping for Little Egret.
Also, I want to pick your brain about your current trip so please drop me a line when you get back to the states…
Will do.
Wow, that would’ve flummoxed me big time. Amazing pix.