I will not call this a great versus magnificent after staring at it for a while now several years after I already stared at it. Not impressed with Alar wing bar. And the colors on the back are not diagnostic. Comments welcome.

#Frigatebird #mating display in flight #birdoftheday #largebirdsinflight
Galápagos
see alt discussion re great versus magnificent species

#birds #nature #wildlife #naturephotography #matingdisplay

Of course the wrong time of year and early even in NE FL but I photographed for years and provide a picture of a male Great Egret with the extensive feather finery that helped them almost be hunted to extinction. Not in active display at the moment. I have more for later. The lores (area between the beak and eyes) are quite green for display as well

To celebrate a new year a Great Egret is carrying around his mating plumage.

🪶 #greategret #matingdisplay #birdphotography #naturephotography