The light color and change in texture under an old branch over my path drew my attention to this wasp nest. I stopped to take a good look and saw no movement.
I liked the shape and layers and stopped directly under the nest for another look. Only when I developed the images did I see the wasps crawling on the exterior. If I had realized there were occupants I would have taken some additional closer images.
I’ve stopped to watch Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in this marshy area several times this summer. One day last week a few were quite close to the walk way and were less skittish than on previous visits.
Some of the chicks are nearly adult size but are still sticking close to a parent.
This one had been standing on the end of the of the walkway and decided to join the others…
…landing in the short greenery with the family group behind him.
Black Skimmers sometimes do a U-turn over the water and skim back the way the came. Other times they lift up and go back where they started or pick a new place to feed.
It seems reasonable that wind direction and food availability figure in their decisions.
Whatever the cause they are as beautiful in full flight as they are when they are skimming.
Tricolored Herons were dotted all around a small pond last week at Bear Island WMA.
Most of them were sticking to the edges of the water, but these three were interested in hanging out in a group of bushes and kept swapping spots.
The one on the left had briefly flown off and returned with his pals intently watching his landing.
The marsh grasses have taken on a variety of hues as the summer progresses, perhaps those greens looking a bit fake.
One of the challenges in wildlife photography is choosing where to stand. Should I stay put or go to the next opening for a better view? Will the bird stay on the same path or veer to the left? Are there any Alligators nearby?
I saw this pair of Black Skimmers coming towards me along the edge of the pond. My view was obstructed of their approach by the reeds.
I got lucky and they stayed together and moved into the center of the open water. I stayed put and got an aerial show.
I love to watch these birds fly and wonder when they are in pairs how they stay synchronized.
Their fishing is done by touch and when the Skimmer feels a fish in the water their heads snap down as they lift the prey.
There were a couple dozen Tricolored Herons dotting the sides of the canal that opened into a small pond. Some of them relocated as I approached.
Patient hunters, the Tricolored Herons will stare at the water a long time. This one had just stabbed the water for a fish creating a ripple.
As I walked further down the dike this one flew right over me, checking me out as he went.
I had seen a Black Skimmer head down this canal and was ready when he made a u-turn and flew back towards me.
Impressive with their flight skills, this one made a sharp turn.
I was standing at a trunk on the canal which obscured my view for a few seconds as he passed by.
I was able to pick him up on the other side.
I’m not sure if they lift up off the water to check their course, but in just two seconds he was back to water level.
He dropped his beak into the water then my sight was obscured by reeds.
Wading birds usually ignore each other when they feed, each one just going about his business. This young Reddish Egret did seem to be intimidated by the Wood Storks clacking their bills. Then he decided to do a Reddish Egret maneuver and flapped his wings.
He didn’t get the full dance move, but the closest Wood Stork took notice.
And did his own two-step.
The Reddish Egret retreated…
,,, Nothing to see! The Reddish Egret went back to hunting while a Snowy Egret gave a flap for good measure.
Rarely seen in South Carolina, Reddish Egrets are known for their lively dance across the water as they feed.
Reddish Egret: The Dance has images of the dance I took in Florida in February 2018.
Bear Island WMA, 7/21/2019.
I’ve documented the Tricorlored Heron Dance before, most recently just about a year ago. Today’s heron was in a pond that was draining on the opposite side of a small dike from last year’s post.
These herons go from standing completely still to few skips across the water.
This time he completely lifted off.
Then in a matter of seconds was stock still again.
The water was jumping with little fish that the heron seemed to be following but he didn’t make any selections.
It was a lazy summer afternoon and a few rather large bees buzzed around a group of Trumpet Vine trumpets. They enter the blossoms head first…
… then awkwardly back out.
Lift off to the next flower.
This one appeared to pause for a moment on the flower ruffle.
Pollen sacks loaded but they kept working, this time with a sideways maneuver into the blossom.
