Today’s blog post features a great egret catching a frog during a close-up encounter I photographed on April 12, 2018, at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was one of those moments that shows how quickly wildlife action can unfold right in front of you.
Spotting the Egret in the Roadside Ditch
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.
Getting Close Without Disturbing the Bird
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.
Why Frogs Were Everywhere That Morning
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.
Wildlife Moments You Can’t Predict
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!