Posted by Gary Potter (198.81.16.153) on June 18, 2002 at 21:57:04:
In Reply to: Heron posted by Brennan Mulrooney on June 09, 2002 at 16:13:25:
I don't claim to be an expert on these things, they're just fun to comment on, and I have learned a lot by participating in this forum. I've also embarassed my self plenty of times, so don't be afraid to comment. The more opinions we get, the more we learn.
I still think this is a Reddish Egret, and the only thing I see that is contradictory is the leg color. The posture, apparent activity, color, especially the base of the bill all point to Reddish Egret. I saw two Reddish Egrets at Robb Field in January. They were nonbreeding plumaged adults, as pictured in The Sibley Guide and erroneously labeled 2nd year in the first printing or two. The pale gray color on the lower belly is way off for Little Blue Heron. I have seen several Little Blues (including three adults this morning)in San Diego during the past three years, and all adults are very dark gray in this area. They also had dark blue-gray bases to the bill, while this bird appears to have a much lighter base to the bill, more so than can be explained by over exposure, in my opinion. Also there appears to be a slight pinkish tinge to the bill in the area of the tomia just posterior to the dark tip. All of these colors may be affected by the exposure and scan, so I'm not sure if they mean as much as I'm reading into them. This is another good one! Thanks, Joe! -- Gary