As with the Great Blue Heron; the Great Egret is more and more a rare sight in the Upper Valley. But, when there is a banquet served up everyday in an irrigation canal; well, that's when you get some up close time with this great bird.

The canal is cement lined and doesn't drain well. When the water in the canal is shutoff in October, the canal's water level drops like all canals in the valley. But, because it is cement lined, the level drops much more slowly.

This allows the Great Egret, Snowy Egrets and ducks to feast through November. In fact a Great Blue Heron has been seen along this very same canal.

The menu is basically minnows. And these great birds love minnows. So as long as the water and the minnows hold up... and the raccoons stay out... these wonderful valley fowl will stop by for breakfast.

  (Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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