The Snowy Egret has a black bill and yellow feet;

the Great Egret has a yellow bill and black feet,

and stands 35 centimeters taller.

How am I supposed to remember that?

And why on earth does it exist?

Did a few Snowies get confused about the difference

between foot and mouth and put on an extra few inches?

Is it just another of Nature’s playful little redundancies?

I don’t know, and to tell the truth, I don’t really care which is which.

When I spot one patiently floating on a kelp raft or wading in the shallows,

black (or yellow) feet treading the water,

sharp eyed for fry, black (or yellow) bill poised,

I can only wonder.