This is a very rare bird in California & even in the US. This is the Dark Morph version of this bird, there is a Light Morph as well. This Egret behaves in hunting for food very differently than other Egrets, this one is very animated & almost seems to be dancing as it moves around stalking it's prey. Wonderful & normally very energetic & animated bird. I found him to be "sleepy" & just hanging out this day - - perfect for portraits, but not very representative of it's normal character.

It should be added that this was an extremely windy day, with very strong sunlight. Heat waves & sand flying around made shooting circumstances not the best....