JOHN COSTIN STUDIO

The elegant Great Egret is the most common egrets in the U.S. During breeding season, it grows long feathery plumes called aigrettes to attract a mate. In this etching the egret is displaying these feathers to attract a mate. In the late 19th and early 20th century they were used as decoration for ladies’ garments which almost led to their extinction. Both the males and females are identical so it would be challenging to distinguish them. Early conservation programs saved this species from being wiped out by plume hunters. This graceful bird is depicted life size using 3 copper plates and is hand painted with transparent watercolors.