Solitude and Grace
When moving about in the water hunting for fish, the species can look ungainly, but, observed in repose, they are extremely elegant creatures. In the breeding s...
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When moving about in the water hunting for fish, the species can look ungainly, but, observed in repose, they are extremely elegant creatures. In the breeding season, they develop long plumes on the breast and tail, and crest feathers on the back of the neck. For centuries, these plumes were a highly desirable clothing accessory. The 17th-century ornithologist Francis Willughby, author of the ground-breaking, posthumously published Ornithologia (1676), wrote of their ornamental use on caps and headpieces, ‘sold very dear in the cities subject to the Turk’. By the 19th century, the plumes were more valuable than gold. With each little egret producing about 1g of plumes, these could fetch £15 an ounce (28g) on the European market (about £900 in today’s prices). Trade was worldwide, with the little egrets — together with their relatives, such as the great and snowy plumed egrets — systematically farmed. Such were the concerns that, after a series of meetings chiefly involving Society women, the Society for the Protection of Birds was formed in Manchester in 1889 and merged with the London-based Fur, Fin and Feather Folk in 1891; it was granted a Royal Charter in 1904 to become the RSPB. Its first leaflet, Destruction of Ornamental Plumaged Birds, focused on the plight of little egrets, together with grebes, and most of the charity’s early campaigning was directed against the plumage trade.
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Aperture 80/10 ISO 1000 Shutter 10/4000 Focal Length 2200/10 
Aug, 2023Views
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Winner in Beauty In The Eye of The Beholder Photo Challenge
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Bazz
August 03, 2023
Fantastic capture and description! It is so awesome to know the history behind the photo! Well done.
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sue-zon
August 07, 2023
A definite masterpiece, H . . . I've never seen those crest feathers before . . . makes for an unusual appearance.
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JayneBug
December 03, 2023
One of the hardest challenges I have had to judge. So many beautiful entries. This one is just special in its beauty, softness and art. A true masterpiece. Congratulations on your award winning image and capture.
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