Great Egret Scratching an Itch

This Egret fishes from the Fishing Pier at Myrtle Beach State Park

I met Randy, the Great Egret (Ardea alba) , at Myrtle Beach State Park on a recent road trip. He was standing on top of the shelter on the fishing pier and, evidently, had a great itch. The beautiful white plumage and the regal posture of this fascinating bird makes him really stand out in a crowd, so to speak. One cannot help but notice him as he struts around acting so sure of himself.

No, I did not name him. A couple of fishermen on the pier told me he hangs around so much they all call him Randy. He keeps an eye on the fishing lines and is quick to react whenever a fish spits out a hook and tries to swim away. Seems like easy picking to me – smart bird.

Here’s a picture of Randy, the Great Egret, in an advantageous location on top of the pavilion on the pier. From this vantage point he can keep an eye on everyone and every thing. He seems to trust the fishermen on the pier more that he does the fact that a fish might throw a hook and get away. Randy tries to make sure that nothing “tasty” gets away.

The great egret is also known as the common egret or large egret. It is a wading bird found in both tropical and temperate regions. The great egret is long-legged and long-necked, with a long, thin bill. They are mostly white in color with black tips on their primary feathers. This makes them look almost as if they have been dipped in paint.

The great egrets has been known to live up to 20 years in captivity and up to 30 years in the wild. They feed mostly on fish, frogs, snakes and insects but will also eat reptiles, birds’ eggs and small mammals when needed. Their hunting style is very similar to that of an osprey or an eagle which means they will sit patiently waiting for prey to approach before striking quickly with their long sharp bill which can be up to two feet long!

Great Egrets are monogamous birds meaning they mate for life which usually lasts about 5 years before one dies off leaving behind one chick who will then be cared for by both parents until it reaches maturity at 2 years old when it can fly off into the sunset on its own

While this particular bird was photographed on the fishing pier at Myrtle Beach State Park in South Carolina, this just as easily might be see at any of several fishing piers along the east coast. There are many “Ralphs” just looking for an easy meal. The great egret is also known as the common egret, large egret, or great white egret or even the great white heron.

Photographs of this Great Egret are available at my online stores on a variety of substrates and also on home decor items. Use the links below to shop.

Link to: Egret Scratching an Itch at Bill’s FineArtAmerica/Pixels Store.

Link to: Bill’s Full Fine Art America/Pixels Gallery

The great white egret is a magnificent bird, with a wingspan that can reach up to seven feet. Its bill is long, thin and black at the tip. It is used for catching fish and insects in shallow water or wetlands. The great white egret has dark legs that are set far back on its body. It has a long neck and head with a large yellow bill.

This bird can be found in North America, Central America and South America as well as Eurasia and Africa. They tend to live near water where they build their nests which are made from sticks or reeds and lined with mud or grasses. A pair of great white egrets may mate for life; however, if one dies then another mate will usually be found soon after this happens during breeding season (March – June). They lay three eggs which hatch after about twenty days depending on temperature levels outside at this time of year (spring). The chicks will fledge after sixty days but continue feeding until about eighty days old when they become independent from their parents once again!

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