With not much bird activity at the San Elijo Lagoon, I
decided to go back to Oceanside Harbor to see if I could get another look at the
Least Bitterns again. I didn't get a shot of the bitterns but a young Snowy Egret
fledgling flew in and proceeded to take a bath. I was very happy to get such
a beautiful bird subject to photograph taking what appeared to be his very
first bath.
**********
As I was looking for the Least Bitterns near the Oceanside
Harbor bridge, three Snowy Egrets came flying in right into my camera lens
range. I noticed that two were adults and one was a very young looking juvenile.
He came strolling right in front of the area were I was standing and proceeded
to take a bath. Just the way he was behaving and the HUGE amount of talcum
powder type of dust that came out of this young bird told me that it was
probably his very first bath. Below are the some shots that show the youngster
bathing. He was absolutely precious to watch. What a cute little guy and such a
beautiful bird too.
Slowly sinks to his belly...
But gets nervous and looks around to see if I could be a threat
to him.
Feeling more comfortable with my camera pointed at him he
submerges straight down without any warning.
Washing his face...
The expression on his face is precious!
He may be thinking... "That was fun" as he squats down
again and feels the water with his wings.
Up again but he gets that look in his eyes like he
is going to take another plunge.
"Is anyone watching"? He shrinks himself and sinks lower
into the water.
Boom! He takes another dip.
Really working his head underwater.
LOL... he has that precious expression under water too.
Isn't this the cutest little snowy you have ever seen?
If Snowy Egrets could smile I would have to say he is
smiling right now.
Look at all that talcum powder fluff floating on the
surface in front of him that has flaked off his body!
He has that look again... to plunge or not to plunge.
He is really thinking about it. You can still see all the
debris floating in front.
Plunge! LOL, yes, he is that quick to drop from standing to
submerged.
He is so adorable. What a sweet sweet bird this little egret
is.
Now he looks like he is getting the hang of it and enjoying his
bath.
Yes, he is smiling again! Really working his wings now.
He is getting wet all over. LOL, If I was a few feet closer I
would be wet too.
He pauses.
He is thinking again... plunge or not to plunge.
Looks my way was as to say "what do you think... plunge or not to
plunge"?
I give him the thumbs up and he thinks about it for a few more
seconds.
PLUNGE!!!
Using his beak to clean and scrub all around
Pumping the wings to get the water to all the hard to reach
places.
Working his wings.
He looks to be sure he is still safe. The two adults are
nearby and appear to be standing guard as this youngster takes his bath.
Slowly sinks down again.
Another plunge?
No... this time he just works his wings.
A few more splashes to get water all over.
Slowing down.
The fluff from his feathers is still all over the surface of
the water .
I thought he was done with his bath but it looks like he wants one
more dunking.
Really got some water on his back this time.
It's amazing that his crown feathers don't even look wet.
Few more pumps of his wings to get the water sloshing
under his wings and he appears to be done.
Folds his wings and slowly rises up.
One giant shake.
Now the wings work to air dry them. He just keeps flapping
and flapping them, flicking all the water off his feathers.
He is all done and looking very clean and refreshed.
Lots more flapping of the wings as he walked towards one of
the adults.
His feathers are so clean and bright they are "glowing".
All clean and refreshed, he flies over to join an adult
that has been standing patiently watching over her youngster. Another
adult Snowy hunts for fish nearby. This has been
another wonderful day at the Oceanside Harbor and now it's time for me to head
for home.
Have a refreshing weekend everyone!
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