Betsy,
I’m sure you’ve spotted a Great Egret, as you first noted - a bit rare for sightings around here, but not at all out of the realm of possibility. Check out eBird for Vermont sightings over the past 5 years…. 

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/map/greegr?neg=true&env.minX=-73.1343180693359&env.minY=42.89595260167571&env.maxX=-71.1622721708984&env.maxY=43.65382846420445&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2017&eyr=2012

The white morph of the GBH is found only in Florida. 

And the black legs and yellow-orange bill you noted peg it as a GE. Makes lots of sense, and a beautiful bird to get to see in our local marshes!

-greg


On Aug 9, 2017, at 1:15 PM, Betsy Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I'm going to try attaching a photo that I took in Plainfield the other day of what I think is a Great Egret---the legs definitely look black to me. I also sent a photo to George Clark, so I'm sure he'll be able sort it out in case my photo doesn't go through here. Love those mystery birds!


Betsy Smith

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