The Last Rays of the Sun
A Great Egret meticulously preens its most lovely breeding plumage (captured from the early Spring), the gossamer feathers lit in the setting sun over our protected wetlands.
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
May your weekends be just as luminous and carefree as this lovely creation!
A Great Egret preens its breeding plumage in the Florida Wetlands
Great Egret shaking that lovely breeding plumage in the Florida Wetlands
Great Egret in breeding plumage overlooking the Florida Wetlands
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
Ahhhh…to be more egret-like. I think I’ll start a movement. Peace of the egret be with you.Or like ‘bark less, wag more’ – it’s ‘squawk less, preen more’?
Hahhh! Love it! I have honestly sat in front of egrets, for upwards of an hour, and given up — and I can be pretty patient when it comes to my nature walks and camera! All the while, I’m thinking… “I haven’t had a massage in 2 years. Hm.”
Thanks for sharing the great pictures and words of Emerson; I’ve heard them often and still love them! Today we ran in the sun and walked past a patch of sun ripened blackberries. I get massages every two weeks now, and it is so worth it! ( :
I’m so glad you enjoyed them both! I adore Emerson.
I need to resume massages — learn from my animals! Yes!
Love all your photos you are amazing!
Thanks so very much! I have some wonderful models around here…. 🙂
I luv this … photos and words and what it means ,,, so nice ,,, and inspiring,, thank u for sharing this it s beautiful.
Thanks so much! I’m thrilled that this lovely creature brought a bit of beauty to your day… ♥
the creature and the photographer 🙂
Aw, so exceptionally kind!! ♥
🙂 🙂
OMGEEE! You just keep going from strength to strength, Feygie! How in Cod’s name could anything be so utterly incredibly finely beautiful, and yet survive in this cruel world? Yowzers!!! And I love the Emerson quote. Very humorous and wry and full of compassion. You are the best, for putting these jewels of posts together for us. Just the best, the best. Total appreciation to you.
How WONDERFULLY kind, I don’t even know where to begin! Thanks very much for your words — they truly mean so much.
I adore Emerson — such a wise and wry man. And these amazing creatures… As one fellow naturalist pointed out, can you believe that they were nearly hunted to extinction for their beautiful feathers? If it weren’t for the efforts of men who died (literally) for them, to protect them), we wouldn’t be in awe of them today.
You know, I can believe they were almost wiped out — that was one of the first thoughts that struck me as I reeled in their beauty. “Too beautiful to last,” I thought. “Bet ladies wanted these for their hats.” People died to protect them? Bless their memories. They saved a precious part of life, as they themselves perished.
Yep, one of the first game wardens of this country, devoted to protect these birds’ rapidly dwindling numbers — murdered in the line of duty. I’m going to be devoting a post to him soon. Heroes that many don’t know about!
Simply breathtaking!!! Sharon
Thanks so very much! I am surrounded by some truly beautiful models… 🙂
Well, master Fey, I have to tell you – it is only all too obvious that you have it in with mother nature. She just catch stop herself from posing for you!!! Thank you for the beautiful photos!!!
Aw, what a wonderful compliment! I love that perspective and thought — that Mother Nature poses for me. 🙂 So very sweet!
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But I believe it is true – have gander at Penelope Smith’s book , WHEN ANIMALS SPEAK. I think there is more to what you are doing than you think!!!
Just re Florence (because I cannot squeeze in the reply button) even here, though she be just a statue, she has connected with the people of Toronto making them aware of mooseness (all be it , somewhat on a funny human level) in us all. She is speaking to us, drawing us into the animal world, not letting us completely disconnect, holding our attention first the community, then all passersby and from there who knows what her influence may be. Because her face is kind, our feelings for her are kind and hence I think our feelings for the real being as someone majestic and powerful, insightful and worthy of recognition may translate into newer respect for them in the wild as such beings!!!
Oh I’ve read Penelope Smith and her book — it’s a classic, and I love it.
What you say is exactly true, too, about Florence. She’s a wonderful, gentle reminder…!
I love that bird – and Ralph Waldo has always been one of my favorite American writers. Such optimism! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve added a new page to my site – my blogroll instead of a widget. http://stacyallbritton.com/blogroll/ No need to respond, I just wanted to let you know that you’re there. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed Emerson — I agree, he resounds with such optimism and amazing truths. I have *so many* of his saved quotes!
Aw, thanks so very much! I must investigate the others on your blogroll! I love the idea of a separate page for these inspiring blogs…! You’re so kind. ♥
Thank you. The quote shall be my ‘feather’ for today. 😀
Ah, I’m so glad you enjoyed! I love Emerson — he always resounds with such amazing truths.
Those people who used to kill these birds for their plumage sure had it all wrong. Those feathers look at least a million times better on the birds!
SO TRUE. I can’t fathom killing these amazingly gorgeous creatures for what…hat feathers? But there were people who died to protect them — and other bird species — in the early last century.
Birds are sooo difficult to shoot….you’re a real professional!
Aw, you’re so very sweet! I have some pretty amazing models all around me. 🙂
Your photos are so beautiful and serene, Fey.
Nice quote. Yes, I think animals probably end each day this way. 🙂 We’ve got much to learn from them (at least I do 🙂 ).
Thanks so very much!
I thoroughly agree — I think we all, as humans, have MUCH to learn from Nature and animals. A return to calmness and simplicity. It’s why I’m always walking there, decompressing. 🙂
Wow wow wow wow wow! Such exquisite shots!
Thank you thank you thank you! 🙂 I know how fortunate I am to be surrounded with such beauty….
Gorgeous! A wonderful bird.. incredible light.. and very fine captures.
Thanks so much! I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by these guys, and their (restored) Everglades habitats.
Wow…just wow! Great photos!
Thanks so very much! I’m truly fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing creatures…
My favorite Bird ever!
Really? So many people LOVE them here, too! They’re so bright and quirky!
Love that quote, and the pictures are awesome.
Thanks so much! I was lucky to nab him as the sun was setting, so the lighting was perfect. 🙂 I adore that quote, too…
beautiful! congrats on your POTW!
Thanks so much! Great time to capture this lovely…. I adore dusk! POTW? That’s a new acronym for me! 🙂
post of the week – it is an honor to be selected by hilary at the smitten image to be shared with others. this time you were nominated by lady fi so hilary would showcase your post. 🙂
oh THANKS! i had no idea!! that’s so kind of lady fi, she has such beautiful work… i need to find this site (hilary / smitten image)!! 🙂
let me know if you need help. usually hilary leaves a comment on the sites she features so hopefully you can follow her back home from there. 🙂
thanks so much — i found her / it! following now, too; what a wonderful site!
indeed! she presents so much beauty herself, then shares so much from others. 🙂
Congrats on POTW! Love the use of light highlighting the feathers of this beautiful bird.
Thanks so much! I had no idea what POTW stood for, until someone kindly explained it… 🙂 Now I have to find it! Hah!
I was really lucky to catch this lovely at dusk — the setting sun did it all!
The egret photos were just stunning. I loved the way the light played around the edge of the feathers.
Thanks so much… I was thrilled to catch this guy preening at such a perfect time, as the sun was setting! I could have sat there forever — they seem to take their time preening before bed-time. 🙂
Hello! Visiting via our friend, Hilary! Such nice photography!
Thanks so very much! I was really lucky to grab this lovely at a perfect time, with the setting sun… 🙂
What a lovely quote. Enriching and energizing. Thanks much for that and for the gorgeous pictures! You bring me much tranquil delight.
How wonderful — thanks so VERY much for the kind compliment! I’m thrilled this beautiful bird and the setting sun could bring a smile to your face, as it did mine… 🙂
your photos are beyond gorgeous! it’s a gift to go through your posts! thanks! z
How incredibly kind of you to say so — thanks so VERY much!!
🙂
Breathtaking photos of the snowy egret! 🙂 WOOF WOOF we love them! 🙂
Hee, thanks so much!!! Such elegant creatures, these guys are…
😉