Travelers of the Sky: Great Egrets at Shelby Farms

Each year, the skies above Memphis carry a quiet migration few people stop to notice. As the seasons shift, Great Egrets pass through Shelby Farms Park—some pausing for a while to take advantage of its rich wetlands and open water, others simply stopping to rest before continuing farther south.

Right now, the park is alive with their movement. Dozens gather at dusk, their white wings glowing in the fading light as they circle above the treetops. One by one, they settle into the branches, turning the shoreline into a living mosaic of stillness.

Watching them, it’s easy to forget you’re standing in the middle of a city. Shelby Farms becomes more than a park—it becomes a waypoint on an ancient route, part of a rhythm that has repeated for generations. These birds have traced this path long before us, and they will continue long after, marking the turning of seasons with their graceful return.

Moments like this remind me why I love wildlife photography. It’s not just about the images—it’s about witnessing the timeless cycles that connect us to the natural world, even in the heart of our busiest places.

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