An intimate portrait session with Earl the egret.
p.1 #1An intimate portrait session with Earl the egret.
Earl is about 25 years old making him one of the oldest free roaming Great Egrets in the world. He summers at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside, NY and overy the years we have become friends. While I was out shooting he flew over to me and landed on the bridge railing about * feet from me. I said good morning to him as he watched me and I watched him. Then I took my camera off my tripod and started taking photos. He began to preen and I took advantage of this. I'd already taken some head shots yet this was an opportunity to do so much more. My 3 favorites are below.
Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
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Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
1)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/11.0 1/1250s 800 ISO -0.3 EV
2)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/11.0 1/1250s 800 ISO -0.3 EV
3)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/11.0 1/1250s 800 ISO -0.3 EV
Jul 31, 2026 at 06:00 AM
p.1 #3An intimate portrait session with Earl the egret.
Outstanding Morris, images and story! How do you know his age ?
Robert
Robert
Aug 01, 2026 at 05:38 AM
p.1 #4An intimate portrait session with Earl the egret.
birdied wrote:
Lovely !!!
Birdie
Thank you Roberta
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bs kite wrote:
Outstanding Morris, images and story! How do you know his age ?
Robert
Thank you Robert,
Note that I said about and this is because it's from people's memory of the first time they saw him.
Morris
Lovely !!!
Birdie
Thank you Roberta
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bs kite wrote:
Outstanding Morris, images and story! How do you know his age ?
Robert
Thank you Robert,
Note that I said about and this is because it's from people's memory of the first time they saw him.
Morris
Aug 01, 2026 at 01:32 PM
p.1 #5An intimate portrait session with Earl the egret.
morris wrote:
BirdieThank you Roberta
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RobertThank you Robert,
Note that I said about and this is because it's from people's memory of the first time they saw him.
Morris
Thank you for responding to that question Morris. At first I thought Earl must have been leg-banded all those years ago. Then I thought "the age estimate may simply be from many folks' memories." Earl is very comfortable near people (you and countless others). I respect this. As a wildlife biologist I have seen/lived both sides over many years. Long story. Suffice to say, I worked within the policies of wildlife agencies and grew to reject many of their policies, especially the merciless ones.
Today, and for as long as I have left, it is the late Jane Goodall I follow. I love her and her message.
Robert
birdied wrote
Lovely !!!Birdie
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bs kite wrote
Outstanding Morris, images and story! How do you know his age ?Robert
Note that I said about and this is because it's from people's memory of the first time they saw him.
Morris
Thank you for responding to that question Morris. At first I thought Earl must have been leg-banded all those years ago. Then I thought "the age estimate may simply be from many folks' memories." Earl is very comfortable near people (you and countless others). I respect this. As a wildlife biologist I have seen/lived both sides over many years. Long story. Suffice to say, I worked within the policies of wildlife agencies and grew to reject many of their policies, especially the merciless ones.
Today, and for as long as I have left, it is the late Jane Goodall I follow. I love her and her message.
Robert
Aug 02, 2026 at 04:31 AM