A snowy egret chases a rare white morph reddish egret with a freshly caught fish at Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, Florida. Photo: Ronen Tivony
I am incredibly honored to share that my photograph of a rare white morph Reddish Egret has been awarded First Place in the Animal Category of the 2025 Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA) contest.
A Career Milestone
Earning first place from the PPAGLA is a profound honor. Standing alongside fellow photojournalists from global wire services like Reuters, AP, and Getty Images, as well as esteemed outlets like the LA Times, Orange County Register, and Long Beach Post, this recognition carries immense weight.
To be acknowledged by the distinguished panel of judges from the San Francisco Chronicle is deeply humbling and a distinct honor.
The Story Behind the Shot: White Morph Reddish Egret at Fort De Soto Park
Great wildlife photography requires a combination of patience, fieldcraft, and timing. I captured this award-winning image at Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, Florida. This location is renowned for its vibrant bird life and dynamic hunting grounds.
Specifically, the photograph captures a peak moment of animal behavior. It shows a Snowy Egret chasing a rare white morph Reddish Egret that had just successfully caught a fish. Consequently, the image tells a story of survival that goes far beyond a traditional bird portrait.
Bird Photography at Fort De Soto Park
Photographers widely consider Fort De Soto Park one of the premier birding destinations in the United States. Its diverse ecosystems range from mangroves and tidal flats to sandy beaches. These areas provide a sanctuary for over 300 species of birds.
For example, the park offers unique opportunities to capture shorebirds and wading birds at eye level. The North Beach lagoons are particularly famous for their calm waters. These conditions provide the soft morning light required for professional wildlife imagery. Whether you are tracking an Osprey or a dancing heron, Fort De Soto serves as a spectacular natural studio.
Reddish Egret and the White Morph
The Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is perhaps the most charismatic of the Florida waders. These birds are famous for their “canopy feeding” technique. They appear to be dancing as they run through the shallows and spread their wings to lure fish to the surface.
While the “dark morph” is the most common form, the white morph Reddish Egret is a rare and striking variation. Observers often misidentify this bird as a Great Egret because of its white plumage. However, its frantic hunting style and distinctive pink-and-black bill set it apart. Successfully photographing a white morph Reddish Egret is a “bucket list” achievement because of their rarity and the technical challenge of exposing white feathers in the harsh Florida sun.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is a professional wildlife photojournalist and the founder of Wildlife With Ronen, LLC. With more than three decades of experience in international wire news photography, Ronen’s work has been featured in leading global publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic, and many more.
Ronen is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS) and a certified Florida Master Naturalist. This combination of technical expertise and ecological knowledge allows him to lead world-class photography workshops. Ronen provides mentorship to photographers of all levels, helping them master the art of capturing birds in flight and complex animal behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions: White Morph Reddish Egret at Fort De Soto
How do you identify a rare white morph Reddish Egret?
The white morph Reddish Egret is often confused with the Great Egret or Snowy Egret. However, it can be identified by its distinctive two-toned bill, bright pink at the base with a black tip. Unlike the steady, patient hunting style of other herons, the Reddish Egret is famous for its “canopy feeding” dance, where it runs and leaps through the water to shade fish with its wings.
What is the best time for bird photography at Fort De Soto Park?
For the best results, photographers should aim for low tide at the North Beach lagoons. This is when wading birds, including the Reddish Egret and Roseate Spoonbill, congregate to hunt in the shallow pools. Seasonally, the spring migration (March–May) offers the most activity, but the resident birds provide incredible opportunities year-round, especially during the “golden hour” shortly after sunrise.
To capture “editorial-grade” action like my PPAGLA-winning chase scene, I utilize a specific configuration to ensure that split-second behaviors are captured with tack-sharp precision.
The following key settings include:
Shutter Speed: I rarely drop below 1/2500s or 1/3200s. When dealing with the erratic, high-speed flight of egrets in pursuit, a fast shutter is the only way to freeze the delicate textures of feathers and water droplets without motion blur.
Focus Mode: I rely on Continuous AF paired with Bird Detection Autofocus. This allows the camera to stick to the bird’s eye even as it maneuvers through a crowded frame or against a complex shoreline.
Drive Mode: I shoot in the highest burst mode available, often 20 or 30 frames per second. High-speed bursts are critical for capturing the “peak” of an interaction, the exact moment a wing is fully extended or the fish is visible in the air.
Why is Fort De Soto considered a top destination for birders?
As a certified Florida Master Naturalist, I consider Fort De Soto unique because it offers multiple distinct habitats, mangroves, mudflats, and beaches, within a small area. This variety attracts over 300 species of birds, making it a critical stopover for migratory species and a consistent hunting ground for rare waders that are difficult to find elsewhere in the state.
How can I improve my chances of winning wildlife photography awards?
Winning a PPAGLA award or similar recognition requires moving beyond the “portrait.” Judges look for storytelling, rare behaviors, and technical excellence. Focus on capturing the interaction between species or the “action-reaction” dynamic. Patience is key, wait for the bird to do something rather than just sitting on a branch.