Jonathan Harrod / Pacific Reef-Egret (Egretta sacra) wading, Kaikoura, New Zealand

Brent Stephenson / Pacific Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) walking across a beach with its neck retracted. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, December.

Brent Stephenson / Pacific / Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) in profile by the shore. Puka Puka, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Pacific / Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) in profile on shore. Puka Puka, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Tim Laman / Eastern reef heron / Pacific reef egret hunts on the tidal flats outside the mangroves. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Gerry Ellis / Pacific Reef-Egret (Egretta sacra) silhouetted on rock at sunset, Australia