“Resting”

Photo of the Week: March 23 – 29, 2015

Photograph by Jody Merritt of Beaufort.

A great egret poses on a tree branch in Morehead City. These birds were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late 19th century, sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds. Today the graceful birds frequent the wetlands that checker North Carolina’s coastline.

“I was driving through Morehead City and I saw this great egret sitting in a tree just resting in the sun,” said photographer Jody Merritt. “I have seen several birds at this holding pond for an office complex but never stopped to try and get a picture.”