The Great Egret ~ Birding during the Covid 19 Pandemic!
I’m one of the lucky ones whose life hasn’t changed drastically during this horrible pandemic that the entire world is experiencing. I was already a bit of a germaphobe, constantly washing my hands. I paint in my small studio almost every day, alone with my music. When I do go out one of my favorite pastimes is birding, something I can do without shaking hands, being in a crowd, or touching anything.
Of course, I miss dining out in Charleston and being with friends. I wasn’t planning on retiring from painting anyway, but our life savings has taken a big hit like everyone else’s. Hopefully, our economy will bounce back strong and the virus will soon be behind us. In the meantime, birding is free and it’s a beautiful time of year to be outside!
Just last week with the virus all over the news and spending all day inside varnishing paintings, I said to Jen, “Would you like to go birding?” It was late in the day but the lighting was good until around 7pm with daylight savings time.
We had a wonderful evening watching the activity of many Great Egrets as they gathered for the night in a big, old Magnolia tree surrounded by palms. Some were flying in with sticks for nesting material. Others were content soaking in the warmth of the sun. They were pairing up and establishing their nests for the spring mating season.
The Great Egret has many different looks, but they are especially striking with their breeding plumage. I thought I’d share some of the images I took from that birding outing.
Thank you to all of my Facebook and Instagram followers for your nice comments about my bird photographs. It is always enjoyable for me to share them with you. If you are stuck inside I hope these pics brighten your day. If you can get out and do a little birding, even without a camera, it is a nice way to pass some time.
Stay healthy everyone! We’re all in this together.
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
What’s next?
Drawing by William R. Beebe