Egrets are members of the heron family. They stand motionless in the water waiting for their prey to come near, then they strike quickly and swallow their prey whole. Today egrets are known as one of the great conservation success stories.
During the late 1800s, their population was nearly wiped out due to plume hunting for the millinery trade. Hundreds of thousands of birds were killed every year for fashion. Rich, high class women wore hats adorned with feathers. With increasing demand, the egret population continued to be decimated.
Until 1896 when Minna Hal and her cousin, Harriet Hemenway started boycotting feathered hats and clothing. They organized meetings to educate women about the importance of protecting egrets and other birds. These meetings led to the formation of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Audubon societies began popping up across the U.S. By 1905 the groups came together to form the National Audubon Society.
The NAS lobbied for a law to protect migratory birds. This led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act being signed into law in 1916. The act prohibits the take, capture, kill, trade, transport, or sale of protected migratory birds. Not only was The Migratory Bird Treaty Act one of America’s first conservation laws it is arguably the nation’s most important bird protection law.
Eye of the Wild Photography 
Great Post! I’ve just started blogging so any support or suggestions is appreciated 🌞
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