Today’s blog post features some amazing close-up photos of a Great Egret I photographed back on April 12th, 2018, at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. This was an unforgettable experience that highlights the beauty and unexpected encounters you can have while visiting wildlife refuges.
I was driving the auto tour loop, enjoying the scenery, when I spotted a Great Egret standing in a roadside ditch. To my surprise, it wasn’t alone – the egret had a rather unfortunate frog clutched firmly in its beak! Seizing the opportunity, I pulled over and started taking pictures from the safety and comfort of my truck.
What surprised me most was how close I was able to get without disturbing the bird. I worried that any sudden movement or another vehicle driving by might spook the egret and send it flying away with its prize. Thankfully, as you can see in the photos, everything worked out perfectly.
The presence of the frog likely had to do with the recent rain. I had actually seen a number of Leopard Frogs (the egret’s breakfast!) scattered across the road earlier that morning, even before sunrise. After some quick research, I discovered that this springtime road migration behavior is quite common for leopard frogs as they move from their hibernation spots to breeding grounds.
This encounter with the Great Egret was a fantastic reminder of the fascinating wildlife experiences that await visitors to our national wildlife refuges. So, the next time you’re out exploring these beautiful sanctuaries, keep your eyes peeled – you never know what incredible wildlife sightings might be around the next bend!