If you’re a twitter follower, you knew 9 hours ago that a Great Egret, Casmerodius albus (note the beautiful white feathers, yellow bill and black legs) was visiting Manchaug Pond today!
The large lanky bird was very tolerate of passing boaters and us tourist-types with cameras taking numerous photos. It stayed a long time enjoying the breeze. 
Our Audubon field guide tells us that the Great Egret, like the Great Blue Heron, is a solitary bird feeding on “fish, frogs, snakes and crayfish in shallow water.” Further, “each year individual birds wander far to the north of the breeding grounds.” Yes, Massachusetts is as far north as its found with its range which extending as far south as southern South America.