A snowy egret struggles to swallow a fish that a fisherman gave it at Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. Photo: Ronen Tivony
My snowy egret photographs, taken at Fort De Soto Park in Florida, was selected by CNN editors for their weekly gallery “The Week in 34 Photos” published May 21, 2026.
From the editors: “Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.”
The image captures a snowy egret struggling to swallow a fish given to it by a fisherman at Fort De Soto Park, a raw moment that perfectly illustrates why this park is such a remarkable place to photograph wildlife behavior.
About the Snowy Egret at Fort De Soto Park
The snowy egret (Egretta thula) is one of Florida’s most photogenic wading birds. Smaller and more energetic than the great egret, snowy egrets are defined by their crisp white plumage, contrasting black bill and legs, and those unmistakable bright yellow feet, which they use to actively stir up prey in shallow water, a behavior that makes them endlessly compelling to photograph.
Fort De Soto Park, located on in Tierra Verde, just south of St. Petersburg, is one of Florida’s premier locations for snowy egret photography.
Why Fort De Soto Park Is a Top Destination for Bird Photography
Fort De Soto consistently ranks among the best birding and bird photography locations in the entire Southeast United States. Here’s why photographers keep returning:
Diversity of Species: The park draws over 300 bird species throughout the year. In addition to snowy egrets, photographers regularly encounter roseate spoonbills, ospreys, American oystercatchers, Wilson’s plovers, least terns, reddish egrets, tricolored herons, and more.
Accessible Foraging Areas: Tidal flats and shallow lagoons bring wading birds close to the shoreline, sometimes within just a few feet, making it possible to photograph natural behavior at eye level without disturbing the birds.
Low-Angle Light: The park’s open, flat geography means photographers can use the early morning and late afternoon sun beautifully. A low shooting angle puts you at the bird’s level, transforming backgrounds into smooth, out-of-focus water.
Year-Round Opportunities: While spring migration peaks in April and May, Fort De Soto offers compelling photography in every season. Breeding plumage birds are present spring through early summer, winter shorebirds arrive by November, and raptors pass through during fall.
Tips for Photographing Snowy Egrets in the Field
If you’re planning a visit specifically to photograph snowy egrets, here are the fundamentals I teach in my Fort De Soto Park bird photography workshops:
Arrive at first light. Snowy egrets are most active in the early morning, and the quality of light in the first hour after sunrise is unmatched. Flat, midday light produces flat, uninteresting images.
Position yourself low. Get as close to the water surface as possible. Even crouching or kneeling in shallow water dramatically improves your angle and separates the bird from a distracting background.
Anticipate the strike. Snowy egrets are explosive, decisive hunters. Watch for the coiled-neck posture that signals an imminent strike and keep your shutter speed at 1/2000 sec or faster to freeze the action.
Expose for the white plumage. White feathers against a bright background are a classic exposure challenge. Use your histogram to ensure you’re retaining detail in the whites, as slight underexposure is easier to recover than blown highlights.
Look for behavioral moments. A snowy egret wading or standing is a pleasant record shot. A snowy egret mid-strike, interacting with another bird, or landing with wings spread is a photograph that tells a story.
Fort De Soto Park Photography Workshops with Ronen Tivony
My Fort De Soto Park bird photography workshop is a hands-on, field-based experience designed for all skill levels, from photographers who are just starting out to those looking to refine their technique and take their images to publication level. We work the best locations in the park during the best light, and I provide real-time feedback on your camera settings, composition, and timing throughout the session.
See More of My Published Work
This CNN feature joins a growing body of published work that includes images in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, BBC, TIME, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The Smithsonian Magazine.
Ronen Tivony is a wildlife photojournalist, Florida Master Naturalist, and photography workshop leader based in Florida. He leads expert-guided wildlife photography workshops and tours at Fort De Soto Park, the Florida Everglades, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Orlando Wetlands, and destinations across the U.S. and beyond.
To book a workshop or inquire about private one-on-one photography instruction, contact Ronen here or call/text 786-540-9194.