Connie and I were at the Smith Oaks Rookery on High Island, Texas at sunrise on Tuesday as the cacophony of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cormorants, and Roseate Spoonbills increased in intensity as the sun came up. The competition for construction materials was intense as birds stole sticks from one another. The rookery is across the water from the Audubon Society’s viewing platforms but sometimes the birds flew to the area near the platform to secure just the perfect addition to the nest. This spoonbill scouted to find a branch in an area just a few feet from the platform. When he took to wing, I managed to capture him as he flew off with his prized stick. He was so close to us, he completely filled the frame. I used my Nikon D500 and 300mm lens.
