Alabama Waterfowl and Shorebirds

Taken at James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama - A wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC04301)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC07506)

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed.

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsen, Alabama, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed.

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed.

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_4720)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_4800)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_7210)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_7211)

Butorides virescens - Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama - a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC09774)

Butorides virescens - Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama - a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC09778)

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC00814)

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC04296)

Taken in James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama. This is a wetland area that is part of the Coosa River watershed. (DSC00826)

The rookery which is shared with great blue herons is on a small island in the James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama - a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed. I first noticed a number of egrets in the trees on the island as I drove along I759 into Gadsden and wondered if it could be a rookery. I decided to investigate further. The island was some distance across the water (see then note - upper left) from the Gadsden Mall parking lot which is where I went to take photos. Because of the distance, (based on Google Earth view over 750 feet), even at maximum zoom, I was essentially shooting blind. But happily, by cropping, I managed to get some fairly decent shots. During the winter the trees are occupied by numerous wintering cormorants. (IMG_6332)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_6225)

James D. Martin Wildlife Park, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed, Gadsden, Alabama (IMG_6236)

Taken in James D.Martin Wildlife Park, Gadsden, Alabama, a wetland that is part of the Coosa River watershed.