Early Morning Snowy Egret

A Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is bathed in golden morning light while searching the tidal pool for breakfast. It is early April and this magnificent bird is fishing alnog Cedar Island Beach in eastern North Carolina.

These small herons have all white plumage, black bill and legs and bright yellow/orange feet. Once threatened by hunting, the popularion as rebounded nicely thanks to the protection afforded by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Cedar Island Beach is located at the end of the island next to the North Carolina Ferry terminal. Part of the Crystal Coast, this strip of sandis one of its most remote beaches. The Island is home to a small herd of wild Banker Horses and a herd of ferral cattle known as the "Sea Cows." A portion of the island and adjacent areas is occupied by the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge.