Camera: Fujifilm X-E2     Exposure: 1/350s   f6.4/200mm     Date: 04.06.2014

Little Egret at the Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau, Camargue, Southern France

The Little Egret (egretta garzetta) is a small, white heron that feeds on small fish and crustaceans. It has a black bill and long plumes on its head and neck during the breeding season. In the 19^th century the birds were hunted to near extinction because the plumes were used for the decoration of hats, making them at the time more valuable than gold. Here in southern France they stay year round, while the small colonies in Central Europe migrate in late summer to Northern Africa to over-winter there.