So, I'm sitting at my desk editing some photos of an osprey ripping the head off of some unlucky fish when Ranger Scott Pearson tells me that a little egret is outside feeding near the Visitor's Center. 

Looking through the window, I can see this white bird strutting around. After seeing no Great or Snowy Egrets at York River State Park last year (there were a few up river in Eltham Marsh and West Point), I was hopeful that this juvenile was a sign we would have a breeding pair nearby. 

Our graceful, unexpected guest

Strangely enough, we discovered the bird is a Cattle Egret. This medium sized member of the heron family is more often seen along the southeastern coast and would more likely be found along Virginia Beach or the Eastern Shore. As well as marshes, cattle egrets tend to hang around pastures with cattle and horses (hence the name) to feed on the insects they stir up.

The fields between the Visitor's Center and Woodstock Pond are waterlogged thanks to the snow melt. I suppose the bird must have discovered a smorgasbord of bugs trying to stay above water with plenty of seafood nearby.

Looking for food, maybe a mate too

Look carefully at the photo of this bird 

The brownish-pink coloration on the head and back with a couple of very light wing feathers indicate breeding plumage. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this bird has a mate somewhere on our 2,550 acres or a nearby farm. Either way, I hope more of our guests will get a good look at (and photo of) this lovely little bird.

Perhaps it will hike with you

Directions to York River State Park: From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park.