The Bird Collection

Great Egret, Bombay Hook

Great Egret in Flight – Bombay Hook

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, nestled along the eastern shore of Delaware Bay, is a haven for both birds and those who love to watch them. Its name, drawn from the old Dutch “Bompies Hook” — meaning “little tree point” — now feels more like an invitation to open skies and unobstructed views, especially through a photographer’s lens.

The refuge’s mosaic of swamps, tidal salt marshes, and freshwater ponds sustains a rich array of resident and migratory species. Here, the rhythm of the tides brings life and movement, offering herons, egrets, and eagles plentiful hunting grounds.

This great egret, captured mid-flight, rises above the quiet water in an elegant sweep of motion and light. Its wings — pure white and perfectly arched — seem to momentarily still time, a reminder of the grace and freedom found in the wild places that remain.