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.

Reddish Egret

If you have never watched a Reddish Egret hunt you should add it to your bucket list.  They race around in unpredictable directions with their wings spread out.  Invariably they come up with lunch.  I took this shot at Ding Darling on Sanibel Island.  You might also find a white morph of this bird although I have had better luck with them at Ft Desoto in St. Petersburg.

White Morph Reddish Egret

I've only seen a few of these birds.  This shot was taken at Ft Desoto on the north shore of Tampa Bay.  This bird was taking a short break from it's characteristic racing around the shallows with it's wings spread hunting for lunch behavior.  I don't know what this pause was for but it only lasted a few seconds.