We have really enjoyed seeing the majestic Snowy White Egrets in the marsh areas.
A friend told us about a congregation of them that roost nearby, and if you get there at dusk, you can watch them fly in.
We drove through once and didn’t see a thing. She gave me more definitive directions, which is always good since I’m directionally challenged, and we tried it again. We’ve been back twice.
Because it is a private community with a prominent sign, there isn’t a parking area or a welcome mat. My husband drove slowly, and I walked next to the car trying to get a good shot. I found this to be very difficult because I just wanted to watch the entire process because it was so amazing.
The road is even with the middle to upper parts of the trees. To get a really good shot a person would need access to one of the private, locked gates leading to a full flight of steps down to the docks at water level – in my photography dreams maybe.
There are hundreds of these graceful birds flying in and picking the perfect branch for their overnight stay. They’d fly off if I got too close, and the trees certainly haven’t been trimmed to assist amateur photographers but left natural for the birds.
I went through two nights of photographs hoping for one that would really show how many birds are there, but no such luck. I think I may need to go back. 🙂
All I can say is it is a sight to behold if you love Mother Nature and her cast of amazing characters.
Measurements for both sexes
Length: 22-26 in, 56-66 cm
Wingspan: 39.4 in, 100 cm
Weight: 13.1 oz, 370 g
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
Wonderful photos! I have seen this sight quite a few times myself, with bird after bird soaring in like a plane arriving at a major airport. You are clearly enjoying South Carolina, I’m so glad!
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Aren’t they beautiful! What a sight that must be in person. South Carolina has provided you with a wonderful reprieve from winter…,.and we get to enjoy it with you.
I’m picturing you walking alongside a moving car trying to be inconspicuous ! Lol.
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It was pretty funny. My husband is barely moving the car at a couple of miles an hour and I’m trying to get shots. 🙂
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Doesn’t sound as if you are missing the cold and snow!
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I can honestly say I haven’t missed the cold and the snow one bit. One more week of 70 degree temps, and we’re on the road headed north. Hope we have an early spring. 🙂
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Must be incredible to see, Judy, even if you haven’t been able to get the shots you’d like. These are lovely and I’m glad you’ve been able to see the congregation.
janet
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Sounds like a wonderful sight! Such beauty, even if you couldn’t get a shot of it.
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What a spectacular sight, Judy! Just soak it all in. Hope you can visit the congregation once again while you are there. 🙂 You must! ♡
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Wonderful! I appreciate your efforts, and even though you didn’t get the shots you wanted, these impress me. Particularly when I can see them dotting the trees.
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Those are beautiful photos, Judy. If these don’t do justice to the numbers present, I can’t even imagine what those numbers must be. Good luck if you do go back. I’d be happy to see an update on this.
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What majesty in the size, grace, and beauty of these birds. I love animal sanctuaries of any kind – places where a species can exist in peace without some crazy trigger happy human lurking in the bushes alongside their nesting area.
And I love your spunk in pursuit of good photos – I recall another post where you brazenly trespassed just for the perfect shot! You go, girl! 🙂
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They are amazing and I can’t imagine what it would be like to stand there and watch them float in. I was lucky enough to see a huge flock of geese land next to the golf course last week and that amazed me — can’t imagine what it was like to see all that beautiful white soar! THanks for sharing them.
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Lovely!! I have seen them a couple of times, and there is no mistaken once you spot that snowy white in the distance! Thank you for sharing!! xo Johanna
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How exciting to find a roosting place! Aren’t they wonderful to see in flight and in abundance! I hope you’re able to get back to see them.
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What a treat.
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Considering the restrictions, I think you did very well with your photos. What a wonderful sight.
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We used to get these birds up here, too, but in the past few years they seem to have gone elsewhere. I’m glad you found them and the pictures are a real treat!
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There is a congregation of these birds that roost in Oklahoma City off NW 10th past Council. When we lived in OKC, I loved going to the area. They had been run out of another area because the store nearby didn’t like them. I was glad they found another place to stay!
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Well that is interesting. I wonder if they made a mess for that store. These guys are in the trees right over a small bayou, and I’m guessing maybe the docks could get messy. I’m going to try and go back one more time to see if I can catch them flying in.
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I think the birds’ droppings were killing the trees (plus making a mess). But it had been their natural habitat for many years, and they were driven out by the store at Rockwell and NW 23rd in Bethany, Oklahoma. (The store used to be called Albertson’s, but I think it is now Homeland.) So the birds moved south and west of that location to NW 10th and Council in Oklahoma City, where there is an apartment complex with a huge, huge, huge amount of trees. To get to the apartments, you have to take a winding road surrounded by the trees which are chock-full of birds. Good luck with seeing the birds at your location. I think the lady below (lulu) would like to know where you see your birds; but as you said, it is private property.
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If you can picture a dirt road between this bayou and the front yard of these little houses, and there we are crawling along to grab a few photos. Their docks are along the bayou but behind locked gates. If only…
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And where are you seeing these? They are wonderful birds.
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Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. 🙂 They are roosting in a narrow bayou area right in the middle of a subdivision of small homes. Amazing.
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While they love to make themselves comfortable in our surrounding rice fields, I have never seen so many in one place.Just amazing!
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I think Joyce’s word “majesty” and Grandma Kc’s word “floating” are exactly right. Those locked gates didn’t keep you from capturing some great images. I admire anyone who can walk and click at the same time, especially with such results. Thanks!
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Really amazing….wonderful to view them in their natural habitat, Judy.
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Love these beautiful birds. Your photos are great! I can just picture the neighborhood and what you had to get those shots!
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A congregation! I love that! Aren’t collective nouns the best??!
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Spectacular! I’ve read of neighborhoods that cut down trees when Great Blue Herons roost over their cars and homes. I’m glad these graceful birds are allowed to be.
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Beautiful birds, glad they are able to nest in the trees, they look so elegant, and almost biblical.
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When I was in Florida a month ago, it was my first introduction to the egret and I too was fascinated with them. As we were riding through the Everglades on the airboat, egrets and cranes which had been in the river grass would take flight and it was an amazing sight to see EACH. AND. EVERY. TIME!!
So I can imagine you on the side of the road trying desperately to capture them in a photo 🙂
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I love the word, “congregation,” Judy. Especially referring to the elegant, graceful Snowy White Egrets.
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