Photographing a Great Egret at Dockery Slough

I photographed this Great Egret as it stealthily moved through the tall vegetation at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The bird was on the hunt for crayfish, its long neck and sharp bill poised for action. Despite its efforts, I didn’t witness any successful catches while I was there. The day before, I saw a Great Blue Heron in the same area using a similar technique, and it managed to catch several crayfish. This comparison highlights the different outcomes in wildlife encounters, even with similar strategies.

A Great Egret In Tall Vegetation - Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge - Oklahoma
A Great Egret In Tall Vegetation – Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Oklahoma

Location and Setting

The Great Egret was at the West Sally Jones Causeway, near Dockery Slough on the south side of the tour road. Dockery Slough is a wetland area within the refuge, known for attracting a variety of wading birds, especially during feeding times. The dense vegetation along the water’s edge provides cover for both prey and predators, making it a prime spot for birds like egrets and herons to hunt.

The time of day can greatly affect visibility and success rates for these birds. While I photographed the egret in the early morning hours, this might not have been the most active feeding time, as crayfish often burrow during cooler parts of the day.

Technical Aspects and Setup

For this shot, I used my Fujifilm X-T3 camera, paired with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens via a Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter. The camera was resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup, which provided stability while allowing for quick adjustments. Here were the specific settings:

  • Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority (AV)
  • Shutter Speed: 1/450 sec
  • Aperture: f/7.1
  • ISO: 1600

The aperture of f/7.1 gave me a balance between a sharp focus on the egret and a slightly blurred background, making the bird stand out against the tall vegetation. The higher ISO setting of 1600 was necessary due to the shaded conditions near the water, but the Fujifilm X-T3 handled the noise well, maintaining detail in the image.

Great Egret Behavior

Great Egrets are patient hunters, often standing motionless for extended periods while waiting for prey to come within striking distance. Their diet consists mainly of fish, amphibians, and crustaceans like crayfish. They use their sharp bill to spear or grab prey with a quick lunge. This particular egret demonstrated the characteristic slow and deliberate movements as it searched through the reeds, but it seemed the crayfish were elusive that morning.

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge: A Haven for Wading Birds

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge provides an ideal habitat for wading birds, with its wetlands and shallow waterways. Dockery Slough, in particular, attracts species like Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and even smaller birds such as Green Herons. The refuge’s diverse aquatic habitats support a wide range of prey, including fish, amphibians, and crustaceans, making it a prime location for observing hunting behaviors.

Bird activity at the refuge varies throughout the year, with migratory species passing through during spring and fall. This makes it a rewarding location for wildlife photographers who are looking to capture different species and behaviors over time.

Tips for Photographing Wading Birds

  • Use a Stable Support: Rest your camera on a bean bag, tripod, or vehicle window mount to minimize camera shake.
  • Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode: This allows you to control the depth of field while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed.
  • Monitor ISO Settings: In low-light situations, increase the ISO to maintain a fast enough shutter speed for sharp images.
  • Anticipate Movement: Wading birds often stand still for long periods before making a quick strike. Keep your camera ready and focused on the bird’s head or bill.

Comparing Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons

Both Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons hunt in similar ways, but there are some differences. Great Egrets tend to hunt in more open water or along the edges of wetlands, while Great Blue Herons often fish in deeper waters. The egret’s white plumage can also help it blend into bright, sunlit water, whereas the heron’s gray-blue feathers provide camouflage in shaded areas.

Photographing this Great Egret was an exercise in patience and observation, much like the bird’s own hunting strategy. While the egret didn’t catch any crayfish, the experience added to my understanding of how different species interact with their environment at the refuge.