Great Egrets have an elegant side and a goofy side. I always think of the elegant side of Great Egrets with their elaborate, choreographed mating rituals featuring their aigrettes surrounding them like a veil. This view is usually a side view. Even when I see them flying, most of the time their long necks are outstretched in a lovely s-curve and, in breeding season, the aigrettes are flowing out behind them. If I see them head on, however, their goofy side takes over. This view is not at all the elegant creature I usually think of but rather I see a goofy but endearing bird coming at me.