Copyright © 2017 by Ali Bernie Buga-ay, all rights reserved. Pacific Reef Heron (white morph): this photograph may not be used without permission.
The Pacific Reef Heron or Egretta sacra (white morph) is also known as Eastern Reef Heron and Eastern Reef Egret; found in Asia including the oceanic region of Polynesia, Southeast Asia, India, East Asia, Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand. It is an very interesting Heron since the species dis[plays a non-sexual dimorphism with others as white and others are heavy charcoal-grey. No one knows why the drastic morph but maybe for camouflage.
The experience of waiting for them to come at Tuyo ka Bato, three islands off Pilar, Soargao, was a fascination. They came one after another as they approach the cliff side, they slow down a little and drop their long legs as they were about to land just like an aircraft.
Our boat was making careful circles near the island as rocks were just jutting out from the sea, we could have our boat run aground. Miguel David De Leon gave explicit specific instructions to the boatman and his assistant that we were there to take photographs of the terns and other seabirds but when the current is taking us nearer to the rugged island, he needs to accelerate his engine and make rounds so the current of the waves can carry us again like a surfboard so we could take photographs without the engine adding to the vibration of the boat.
Siargao, Philippines
April 21, 2018
Nikon D500 + Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Fotopro TS-85C | Fotopro WH-30 | Carry Speed FS-Slim | Nitecore UNK1
