As in many different areas of Florida's coastline, wading birds are quite abundant around Bunche Beach,
San Carlos Bay... Reddish Egrets have made a remarkable comeback over the last few decades. Close encounters, however, are best left to the lone Birder’s discreet ways, and a big lens. The adult male above
and the small group of Willets didn’t seem to bother each other. The juvenile (middle image) was in
a strange hurry. It rushed past me at a distance of less than 30 yards. I remained frozen on my knees so as
to get the shots. Who knows, perhaps this youngster turned into the below specimen of a male in
breeding splendor. I got to photograph the wader in the very vicinity a year or two later.
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