This Brown Pelican was about to show how it is done.
In a matter of seconds he went from just bobbing along to full flight.
Taken just after sun down and the light was fading fast.
Monthly Archives: January 2016
Ural Owl
The Ural Owl flying demonstration at The Center for Birds of Prey, Awendaw, SC was in a wooded area rather than the open field where the Black Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, and Peregrine Falcon were featured.
He flew between the audience members where we got a close up look of this owl from Europe and northern Asia.
Black Vulture
Certainly not nature’s most beautiful bird, but what elegance in flight.
Their bald heads help them stay clean as they dine on decaying matter.
Taken at a flying demonstration at The Center for Birds of Prey, Awendaw, SC.
Peregrine Falcon
Another set of photos from a flying demonstration at The Center for Birds of Prey, Awendaw, SC. I got some practice shooting a very fast bird with dismal results. The bird was perched on his handler’s gloved hand in the photo above.
This shot is of the bird working to gain altitude; he was moving pretty fast, but nothing like when he dove.
This is after it was over, the falcon safely on the ground with his “catch” that had been swung by his handler. He was keenly aware of the vultures circling overhead, wondering if he had something to share.
Another shot after the falcon returned to the handler. The wire is from a radio transmitter, not a tether to the handler.
Red-tailed Hawk
These photos are from a flying demonstration at The Center for Birds of Prey, Awendaw, SC. The wire from the bird’s back in the photo above is from a radio transmitter that will help the staff locate the bird should he take an “unauthorized” trip.
The yellow pigmentation in the beak and feet is exaggerated due to the bird’s diet which is somewhat different than it would be in the wild.
It was great to see the bird close up, but nothing matches seeing him in flight, his red tail in full view.
Little Blue Heron
Wading in the swamp up to his belly, this beautiful Little Blue Heron lived up to his description as a “stand and wait” predator. A little wading, then some waiting.
Pied-billed Grebe
I got two nice photographs before this fellow dove under. I waited, but the water flowing through Old Santee Canal Park gave him plenty of spots hidden from human eyes to pop up.
Interestingly, the ripples of the water in the second photo make it appear his mouth is open in the reflection.
In or Out
Are you inside looking outside or outside looking in?
Mural on the side of a Main Street, Middletown, CT building.
Inlet Activity
The sign at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens said “Nature Trail.” It turned out to be the highlight of my visit with a variety of water birds sharing the water leading to the Ashley River.
Great Blue Heron
The majestic Great Blue Heron surveys slowly and deliberately. The bird above was squawking at a nearby Alligator at the edge of the Ashley River near Charleston, SC.
Eventually he lifted up and fluttered down in a new spot, showing off his massive wingspan.
Back into the reeds, soaking up the sun.
