Dancing on the Beach
By Jacob Zadik
F
rom the majesty of the great blue heron to
the fastidious behaviors of the green heron,
the Ardeidae family never ceases to captivate.
Kiawah Island, in its diversity of cherished
habitats, is home to a plethora of herons and egrets. They
are most commonly witnessed in or near shallow waters
and are most easily recognized by their long necks, long
legs, and long bill, all traits designed to facilitate the capture
of small fish, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians. This
family of birds also possesses an arsenal of unique behaviors
to increase the success of prey capture, which only further
enhances their intriguing nature. Over the past few decades
on the barrier islands of South Carolina, there has been a
reemergence of perhaps the most charismatic species in this
family, the reddish egret.
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Photo by Jacob Zadik