If you’re looking for a unique bird-watching experience, look no further than James W. Trimble Lock And Dam 13 near Barling, Arkansas. During this time of year, you can witness a Great Egret using a dam wall to catch fish in surprisingly efficient ways. These graceful birds will perch themselves right against the Dam wall and use it to their advantage. And the best part? They don’t seem to mind the fishermen nearby.
But beware, if you show up with a camera instead of fishing gear, these Egrets will definitely take notice. You’ll also attract the attention of the fishermen, who become curious as to why you have a camera instead of a fishing rod. Trust me, most people don’t even realize these birds are there until I point them out. They’ve become so used to them that they don’t even see them anymore.
How a Great Egret Uses a Dam Wall to Hunt
Watching how wildlife adapts to human-built structures is always interesting to me, especially when it happens right out in the open. In this case, the dam wall created a narrow zone where fish had fewer escape options. The Great Egret clearly understood that. By staying close to the concrete edge, it reduced the angle of attack and limited how far the fish could move once it committed.
I have seen Great Egrets hunt in shallow flats, along grassy shorelines, and in flooded timber, but this setup was different. The bird stayed calm and deliberate, letting the water movement do part of the work. Instead of chasing, it waited. That patience is often what separates a missed strike from a successful catch.
From a photography standpoint, the dam wall also helped simplify the scene. The clean background made it easier to isolate the bird and the fish without visual clutter. Shooting slightly downward allowed me to keep the egret sharp while still showing the texture of the concrete and the water below. Moments like this are a good reminder to pay attention to how animals interact with their surroundings, not just the animal itself.
Encounters like this one are why I enjoy visiting lock and dam areas. The combination of moving water, fish activity, and tolerant birds often leads to unique behavior you would not see elsewhere. If you slow down and watch long enough, the patterns start to reveal themselves.
So, pack your camera and head on down to James W. Trimble Lock And Dam 13 for a one-of-a-kind bird-watching experience. You won’t regret it!
Photography Notes:
- Date Taken: June 16, 2014
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/640 sec.
- ISO: 800
- Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
- Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
- Focal Length: 400 mm
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D