I admit to being envious this week when I saw the reports of a cattle egret on Plum Island. Although I had seen one in Florida, the thoughts of seeing one on the island and adding to my year and life list for the island made me want to leave work early. Unfortunately that was not possible. I could only hope that the bird would stay one more day till Saturday when I could visit the island. With the egret in mind I made why was down to the north pool overlook area where the cattle egret had been reportedly been seen the days before.

As I got out of my car I scanned all around me for some sign of the egret. It was not to be seen. I spent 5-10 minutes scanning the water, checking the ducks, watching a harrier chase after a small-unknown bird. As I was about to get into my car when another car pulled up to the lot. As the two gentlemen got out of the car I heard them say, oh there's the cattle egret. The egret had been there the whole time, right under my nose, so to speak. It had been hiding right next to the lots overhang and if I had just peaked down I would have been eye to eye with it.

It just goes to show you, you have to look right under foot sometimes.