Little Egret: A Master Fisher on the Garden Route
This morning’s perfect winter weather lured me to Swartvlei Lake, where I spent time observing a Little Egret in action. After days of cold, cloudy skies, the warm sun was a welcome treat, and the birds seemed to agree. Giant Kingfishers made a brief appearance, while Little Grebes and Reed Cormorants glided through the shallow waters, the latter relentlessly chasing small fish.
Strolling along the water’s edge, I snapped photos of a Little Egret preening its snowy feathers, basking in the sunlight. At first, it seemed to forage alone, darting after fish with quick, precise steps. But then I noticed its clever strategy. The egret wasn’t just hunting, it was shadowing the cormorants.
When a cormorant dove, stirring the water and sending small fish scattering, the egret sprang into action. It would either wade in or fly closer, waiting patiently for the perfect moment. As tiny fish leaped in panic, the egret struck with remarkable precision, succeeding nine out of ten times and occasionally nabbing two fish at once.
For an hour, I watched this brilliant teamwork unfold, capturing the egret’s lightning-fast strikes in a series of action shots. Check out the photos below to see this elegant bird in its element!
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