Snowy egrets are small, delicate, and very active white herons with dark bills and legs and bright yellow feet.   Like other egrets they develop long, filmy feathers on the neck, back, and rump during the breeding season.   All of these birds were photographed at Bolsa Chica wetlands in coastal Orange County, California, Mission Bay in San Diego, CA, or in Palo Alto, CA.

• Canon 1D Mk. II, 1D3, or 1D IV; Canon 500 f4 IS with 1.4X converter or 800 mm f5.6 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010)