The rookery is an area where birds court. build their nests, mate, hatch their eggs and raise the chicks until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Many, many feedings occur before the chicks are old enough to fly from the nest. There are also sea rookeries in the world where seals and water mammals nest and tend to their young.
During the courting, breeding and nesting season from February to July, the egrets take on beautiful plumes which they lose once the babies are gone from the nest. They also take on bright colors around their eyes, known as lores.

This rookery is located in a small swamp area in St. Charles Parish in which grows cypress trees and tupelo trees. The birds choose the trees far enough out in the water from man's reach and high enough to escape alligators. The alligators also keep away predators such as racoons which eat the eggs and young chicks.
In this particular rookery I have seen many egrets, a few anhingas, and one spoonbill nesting.
The water below the trees is filled with turtles, alligators and is also a feeding ground for herons.
An egret can have longevity of 23 years.
As we lose our wetlands in southeastern Louisiana to coastal erosion and to the cutting of nesting trees we have fewer and fewer places for birds to establish a rookery. The National Audubon Society, whose symbol is the egret, is working to save rookeries and establish new ones. We must keep the balance of nature.
The photos in these egret galleries were obtained by sitting for hundreds of hours, quietly in the rookery, observing the habits of the egrets.
The newest photo is at the end of the gallery. CLICK ON THE IMAGE AND YOU WILL GET A LARGER IMAGE WITH STORY UNDERNEATH.