Egretta thula

In mid- to late summer, Snowy Egrets are common at Weskeag Marsh and at other salt marshes on the eastern seaboard. They are beautiful graceful waders identified by all-white feathers, mostly black legs with bright yellow feet ('golden slippers'), and a thin black bill. Common now, but almost hunted to extinction a century ago for their plumes. These 'plume birds' were the source of feathers in ladies hats during that period.

In flight, the downstroke (seen here) is stronger, more pronounced than the upstroke (see following image). The golden slippers extend well beyond the wings and tail.