An Audubon Moment

A Great Egret pauses for a photo. These magnificent birds range all over North America and are particularly prevalent in Southern California wetlands near the sea. The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society and represent a major conservation success as in the last century the Egret population was decimated by hunters who stalked the birds for plumage to adorn ladies headwear.

These photographs were taken at the San Diego Zoo where several local freeloading Egrets fly in for the free food and ambiance. Kongo watched them taking off and landing throughout the afternoon.

Egrets live about 15 years in the wild and are monogamous.

Kongo also captured a Great Blue Turaco posing in the Scripps Aviary. These are not local birds but hail from Central Africa. This species, related to Macaws, was also threatened because its beautiful blue feathers were hunted for ladies hats.