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2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Great Egret (Ardea alba), Danube Delta, Romania
Dance of the Egret

Species: Great Egret (Ardea alba) | Location: Danube Delta, Romania

By Haley Pope

A great egret (Ardea alba) dances over the water of the Danube Delta in Romania. May is a great month to witness bird migrations coming through the Delta. Many bird species breed here during this time, so flocks and flocks of birds can be seen clouding the skies and crowding the shorelines. For this reason, I love the simplicity of this shot and the elegance of the egret - it reminds me a graceful ballerina caught in mid-flight. For this shot, I took a 12-hour long boat tour in order to explore the smaller channels of the Delta. It is here where the Danube river meets the Black Sea.

About The Photographer

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As the human population grows at the expense of invaluable habitats and species, there's an ever-growing need for conservation and awareness. My company, TerraLens Photography LLC, inspires awe of our planet's inherent beauty and encourages the responsible treatment of nature by drawing attention to wildlife conservation issues through photography and photojournalism. Humans share an underlying connection with all living things on the entire planet, but we often forget about it. My photography and essays explore diverse conservation topics to find the moments where our separation from nature dissolves and we see our place in the universe correctly. I believe that when this happens, we're more likely to treat ourselves, others, and the planet with greater care and respect.
Check out Haley’s photography website: www.terralensphotography.com
Follow Haley on Twitter: @WildlifeHaley
Follow Haley on Instagram: @TerraLensPhotography
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