This snowy egret is searching along one of the canals that runs beside the Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive in central Florida.

The snowy egret (egretta thula) is an inhabitant of shallow freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the upper United States down through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South Amerca to Chile and Argentina. Not found in the mountains. It is more common along the coasts on mud flats and beaches, preferring brackish or marine habitats over freshwater, but is found inland in shallow marshes, ponds, and wet agricultural fields.

A snowy egret adjusts its position over its eggs at a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

A snowy egret struts its finest at a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

A snowy egret dances for attention at a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

A snowy egret begins a display at a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

A snowy egret poses for its picture in a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

A Snowy egret searches for a mate in a rookery near Kissimmee, Florida.

On a warm, blustery summers day, a wind blown snowy egret watches for signs of bait fish running in the shallows of a stream that leads into Bishops Harbor in Manatee County near Rubonia, Florida.

Photography

Description

On a warm July summers day in Manatee County, Florida, a snowy egret scratches its head as it stands on a dead tree limb in a salt marsh beside Bishops Harbor Road in Rubonia.

On a warm July summers day in Manatee County, Florida, a snowy egret preens itself on a dead tree limb in a salt marsh beside Bishops Harbor Road in Rubonia.

On a warm July summers day in Hillsborough County, Florida, a snowy egret wades in the waters beside the Cockroach Bay boat ramp in Ruskin hoping for a meal.

On a warm July summers day in Manatee County, Florida, a snowy egret readies for a landing on a limb in a salt marsh beside Bishops Harbor Road in Rubonia.