Posted by Phil Pickering (208.46.229.66) on June 05, 2002 at 08:35:10:
Yes, after looking at a few photos I see that the shape and posture are all Reddish Egret.
I was not able to find any non-breeding plumage photos, so I'll have to take Gary's word for it that Reddish Egret legs can be this pale in winter. Perhaps the bare parts pigmentation saturates going into breeding plumage, and fades after breeding similar to large gulls? This would also explain why the bill base looks so whitish.
Is the blue-gray at the base of the neck, and on the face/forecrown normal - hidden in breeding plumage by the plumes?
Cheers,
Phil