Snowy Plover, © Photo by Steve Kaye

Snowy Egret Story | Nov. 2016

Snowy Egret Story – How I Took This Photo


Snowy Plover, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post Snowy Egret Story

Snowy Egret


This photo of a Snowy Egret was a gift.

But it also contains an important lesson.

In early July, 2016, I went to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve to take photos of Elegant Terns as they dove for fish at the spillway.

Now, four hours later, I was walking back to the parking lot, which is about a mile from the spillway.

It’s late.

I’m tired.

I’m hungry.

And my legs hurt.

I had just started a yoga program, and the instructor told me this pain was a sign of healing. While she seemed delighted with my progress, I found it difficult to understand why healing had to be painful.

So I’m limping along on the sandy path, stopping every hundred yards to rest and let the pain subside.

And suddenly I saw this Snowy Egret take off.

I had seconds to lift, frame, and press.

Fortunately, my camera had been set to take photos of white terns against a dark sea.

So here we are, with this photo.

Notice there are no shadows because the bird was flying into the setting sun.

And notice the feather detail, which can be difficult to capture on a pure white bird.

So this photo is indeed a gift because it’s impossible to plan for it.

Of course, there’s a point here.

First, pain can lead to a reward. In this case, if my legs hadn’t hurt, I would have walked briskly to my car, and thus missed seeing the bird take off.

And second, every worthy achievement comes after persistence.

So, if you’re tired, keep going.

If you’re hungry, keep going.

And if you hurt, keep going.

Because the result that you want may be just ahead.


Much success,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Bird Photography

6 Ingredients for Bird Photography

Odd Quirk in Bird Photography


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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4 Comments
  • Will Zell
    Posted at 15:31h, 29 November

    Egrets,
    I’ve seen a few,
    But then again too few to mention.

  • Susan Bulger
    Posted at 17:42h, 29 November

    Fabulous photo. Thanks for regifting it to us.

  • Bob Franz
    Posted at 06:18h, 02 December

    That’s one of the best photos or a flying bird I have seen – thanks. Have you considered going into photography as a hobby? .

  • Kris Risley
    Posted at 19:58h, 05 December

    Wow! thanks so much for sharing your story and your spectacular photograph. I can relate to what you said about pain and perseverance. It is usually so very very worth it.

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