Bronx River Field Note No. 1: The Great Egret
- Leslie Archambault
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Bronx River Field Notes are part of my A Year by the River photo project.
Bronx River Field Note No. 1: The Great Egret
Welcome to Bronx River Field Notes, where I share studies on different species and nature I tracked along a specific portion of the Bronx River last year. In this first note, you are invited to learn more about the Great Egret and the role it plays in the story of the Bronx River during the year 2025.
It was mid-April 2025 and the Bronx River was buzzing with activity. Spring was beginning to take hold, and the Bronx River felt alive again!
I was so excited when I spotted a glimmer of white in the water - a good distance a way. It was a Great Egret, back in town to spend the summer.
Over several months, I had the chance to observe and photograph this beautiful bird.
The Arrival of the Great Egret
Great Egrets are a seasonal visitor to the Bronx River, departing the area for warmer climates just after November before winter sets in, and returning around April, as the earth is reawakening.
I was lucky to spend time with this guy during the months of April through September 2025, after which I didn't see him anymore. Well, wait.. do I really know if this is the same bird each time?... No. But I will pretend it is.
Features and Behaviors of the Great Egret
The Great Egret stands out from other herons, like the Snowy Egret, with distinctive traits:
Bright orange beak
Long, slender black legs and feet
Flowing white feathers
Breeding season typically takes place during the months of May and June. Patches of neon green develop on the skin near the eye and beak of the Great Egret.
Delicate plumes grow, extending down their backs and are used to dazzle potenial mates during courtship rituals.
A Sad but Hopeful History
In the 1800s, many birds, including the Great Egret, were hunted for their plumes and feathers, for "fashions sake". This widespread hunting inspired the formation of the National Audobon Society, leading to advocacy for the protection of birds and prohibiting the trading of feathers. (Put that in your cap.)
Hunting Style
Great Egrets feast on fish, amphibians, snakes, insects and small mammals and use their dagger like beak to capture and kill their prey. They are considered "stand and wait" predators because they will remain motionless for long periods of time, watching and waiting for prey to approach. Their reliance on patience and careful calculation, are key to catching their meals.
Preening
Like many birds, Great Egrets engage in a self-care activity known as preening.
Using their beaks, Great Egrets carefully work through their feathers to remove parasites and debris, and to spread natural oils that help keep their plumage clean and waterproof.
Preening also plays a role in finding a mate, as neat, well-kept feathers can signal health and vitality.
The Great Egret’s Role in the Ecosystem
Great Egrets live in fresh and salt water habitats like marshes and other wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, and will visit these types of areas depending upon the population of prey. Their continued presence at the Bronx River indicates that the environment is one where they can survive as they rely on clean water and abundant prey.
Protecting habitats like the Bronx River ensures that these birds and many other species can continue to visit this area. Conservation efforts benefit not only wildlife but also the communities that enjoy and depend on natural spaces.
Cultural Significance and Symbolism
Each time I observe any type of heron, I am enamored with their slow, graceful and methodical behavior. It is no wonder why many cultures see the Great Egret, with its plumes of white, as a symbol of peace, patience, prosperity, grace and even divinity.
They are quiet yet powerful. Graceful yet fierce.
Tips for Observing and Photographing Great Egrets
If you want to observe or photograph Great Egrets, here are some practical tips:
Look for them during the spring and summer: This is when Great Egrets are most active.
Be patient and quiet: Can you adopt the pace of these calm birds?
Observe their behavior: Notice how they hunt, preen, and interact with their surroundings.
Taking photos? Use a zoom lens: Keep your distance and practice Nature First principles.
Aperture: To balance the definition of the Great Egret's feathers versus its delicate, soft plumes, I used an Aperture of f / 6.3 and
f /8.0 for most of these photos.
Post Processing: I had so much fun playing with these photos in Adobe Lightroom Classic. To other nature photographers out there—my tip is: don’t listen to photographers who say you shouldn’t be editing your images or who shame you for doing so. It is one of the purposes of shooting in RAW format.
When shooting in the summertime and fall, you can get beautiful, colorful reflections in the water because the trees are full. Using tools like tone curve & channels, temp & tint, and calibration allow you to alter the color of those reflections and make artistic decisions based on what you like—or the story you want your image to tell.
Continuing the Journey Along the Bronx River
The Great Egret’s story is just one in the larger narrative of A Year by the River.
Next up in Bronx River Field Notes will be a study on the colorful
Wood Duck.
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