So nice to have another free theme for this week's SMAP! Plus, I end up normally posting at the deadline, so joining in on the fun so early is the perfect way to start the week.
Without further ado, let me present another species I saw for the first time, in my last vacations:
I spotted her for the first time in El Nido, Palawan - an island on the Phillipines. I was walking along the beach when I saw her not far from the boats, scouting the waters.
Fortunately, after a couple of minutes, she flew closer, allowing me a better look; too bad the photo still looks crap.
It's a fairly easy heron to identify (normally, and I'll explain why in a moment), medium sized bird, with dark gray plummage and yellowish legs; the big golden eyes stand out as well:
What I didn't knew and found out while researching about this species, is that there are two different forms! A dark gray one, like the one I saw, and a white one! Hence the "normally" easy to identify, since when I look as a white heron with yellow feet I immediatly think on the common little egret (Egretta garzetta); nevertheless, there are enough changes in the leg coloration and beak size and shape to make an easy distinction with a more attentive look.
It's an elegant hunter for sure, although all egrets are more or less "guilty" on this characteristic; she didn't roamed too close, but it was close enough to see all the stealth poses and some attempts to catch some lunch.
I enjoyed the show as she moved further and further away, since there was a lot of shallow water to cover from the coast line, and I can imagine that in the low tide there was plenty of life in those crevices.
I got a little frustrated when I saw the photos back home, since I was expecting a lot better quality; but hey... it's always a good excuse to go back and snap a few more shots! ;)
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