It’s Tough Raising a Family

There’s a reason Snowy Egrets were nearly hunted to extinction — their elegant feathers. Although I have nearly as many Snowy Egret shots as Great Blue Heron shots stored on various hard drives, I can never resist another shot. I’ll admit, though, that I was a little shocked at just how shabby this parent looked at the Santa Rosa rookery.

Obviously raising a family

can take a toll on a parent’s looks.

No wonder then that this Snowy Egret seemed to ignore its offsprings’ pleadings,

retreated up the tree away from the chicks,

and looked longingly into the sky in hopes that its mate would soon return to tend to their offspring.