Snowy Egret at New Smyrna Beach Florida

Snowy egrets congregate regularly at Ponce Inlet near New Smyrna Beach.  They are also pretty adjusted to people being nearby so the opportunities for great photos are readily available.

These 3 pelicans seemed very content to sit and watch the scenery.  If you saw this from their viewpoint I think you would be as well.

Reddish Egret in the surf

I love watching a Reddish Egret hunt.  They run around in all directions with wings spread striking at whatever catches their eye.  This is one of the rare times I've seen one hunting in the surf, I usually see them on the shallow mud flats at Ding Darling or or similar habitats.  I took the photo at Ponce Inlet near New Smyrna Beach which is a great place to find snowy egrets and small shorebirds hunting on or near the jetties.

Reddish Egret in flight

If my memory is correct this is the first Reddish Egret I've seen at New Smyrna Beach.  He was hunting in the small waves at the waterline with occasional brief moments of their characteristic hunting style of running around in shallow water with their wings spread.  I always expect snowy egrets at this location but this is unusual for me.

Ponce Inlet

This is the southern shoreline of Ponce Inlet just north of New Smyrna Beach.  This is my favorite place to go walking.  There is a raised boardwalk from Smyrna Dunes park that leads to a number of access points to the beach and the inlet.  Parts of this park are dog friendly as well.  There is an egret wandering the shoreline but I was more interested in the colors of the beach and the water.  This spot is a great one for seeing dolphins, ospreys, snowy egrets and a variety of small shorebirds.   I highly recommend a visit to New Smyrna Beach, there are some great seafood restaurants and an interesting little old downtown shopping area.

Snowy Egret

This is another snowy egret shot from New Smyrna Beach.  There are always a few of the birds feeding in the tidal pools around the jetties on the south side of the Ponce Inlet.  Since the jetties usually have a lot of activity from fishermen they have become relatively accustomed to people.  In addition to the snowy egrets there was a large flock of skimmers, a number of Ruddy Turnstones, a pair of dolphins hunting within 100 feet of the shore and much more.  It's a great place to visit.  I recommend entering through Smyrna Dunes Park and taking the boardwalk to one of the beach access points.  Along the boardwalk you'll see a number of gopher tortoises and a couple of lucky people have even photographed an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.  Kudos to Volusia County for maintaining such a great facility for wildlife.

Black Skimmers

I was at New Smyrna Beach this afternoon with my valentine.  I was so engrossed in shooting the snowy egrets that I totally missed the flock of skimmers wheeling about directly over my head.  I've found a new reason to add to the list of why I love her, she's an excellent wildlife spotter.