September 28th: This is a Great Egret, which has played an important part in the conservation movement. The Audubon Society was created in the late 19th century to protect the Great Egret. Its long head plumes ( only seen during breeding) had become fashionable for ladies' hats, and the bird was on the verge of being hunted to extinction in North America. Efforts to protect the Great Egret led to laws forbidding the shooting of wading birds that migrate, which is one reason we can enjoy their beauty today.
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