Snowy egret preening, central Florida, USA

Fancy feathers. Snowy egret preening, central Florida

Poetic name, poetic appearance. Meet the snowy egret, whose all-white plumage and bright yellow 'slippers' on black legs give it a striking look. Once nearly wiped out by demand for its delicate breeding-season feathers—soft, lacy plumes prized for fashionable hats—conservation efforts saved its plumage.

Today's image shows a snowy egret preening in central Florida, a common sight in the state's wetlands year-round. Preening keeps its feathers clean and waterproof—essential for a hunter that stalks shallow waters for fish, shrimp, and insects. These wading birds are known for their active style, stirring the water with those yellow feet to startle prey.

Standing about two feet tall with a wingspan around three feet, snowy egrets nest in colonies and return each spring to breeding grounds across the southern US. Today, their thriving presence is a reminder of the power of conservation efforts.