Sanderlings poke and prod the sand as they work up and down the beach, eating little creepy-crawlies they feel with their beaks.
This one was intrigued by a dead crab. Could it be a treasure?
Not so sure, he tried the other side. He gave the crab a couple of pokes and moved on. This treasure was trash for this bird.
…for the human visitors.
A swath of trees was removed this summer along the road leading to Lodge Pond at Donnelley WMA, opening some views into a tree line.
A Great Egret and Roseate Spoonbill were looking the place over.
The view from their perches didn’t change much, just that they could see down the entrance road if they were inclined to look.
Drapes of Spanish Moss gave the local a nice cozy look.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 3, 2021
A series of canals that run along and between some old rice fields has become a gathering spot for young Black-crowned Night-herons.
When the tide is out there is a buffet of crabs and other creatures exposed for lunch down in the canals.
When we passed through the tide was in and the birds exhibited heron patience in the trees.
A few of them swapped positions, pushing each other around, but this one just held his position.
A few more of the juvenile Black-crowned Night-herons were in another tree line but proved to be a bit more skittish.
I’ve witnessed and photographed a Yellow-billed Kite feeding before, but it never gets old. Even if I once again didn’t get the actual snatching of the food as the handler tossed it high into the air.
Kites of all kinds grab their food with their feet while in flight then pass it to their mouths.
Imagine how much work it is to keep yourself fed this way.
The tossed beef pieces mimic the Kite’s natural diet of insects .
Yellow-billed Kite, Milvus aegyptius
Ted and I recently attended our fifth Photography Day at the Center for Birds of Prey in Awenda, SC. Photographers have an opportunity to take close-up images of a number of birds of prey as well as some flight demonstrations. As always the staff and volunteers provided a fun and educational experience.
The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC.
Photography Day, October 10, 2021
This Praying Mantis has been hanging out in the corner of our back yard. The first time I spotted him he disappeared while I retrieved my camera.
A few days later I got another chance when I found him nicely posed on a newly opened Hyacinth Bean flower.
He was about half the size of others I have seen, less than 2 inches (5 cm).
October 7, 2021
Roseate Spoonbills like shallow water for feeding and general hanging around.
Unfortunately said water is not always so attractive for photographs.
And often involves even less attractive mud.
This duo seems to be assessing the local; they did not find it lacking.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 29, 2021
Or more importantly, follow lunch. The wading birds in the rear often reap the benefits of a meal stirred up by those in the lead.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 29, 2021
A recently hatched Carolina Anole spent some time watching the world from a Mandevilla plant on my patio a few days ago.
You might wonder how he got in there, I sure did. He didn’t weigh much but these petals are quite delicate.
I suspect he climbed out the stem then jumped/fell into the center. A wider view shows how tiny the Anole was. The blossom was about four inches (10 cm) across.
Credit to Ted for spotting this little fellow.
These images are from a September walk when a little breeze interfered with this being the best lens for the day.
An immature or female Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly perched at the base of a giant Live Oak tree.
I have no idea what either of these flowers are but they had attractive textures, the first with a few petals.
And the second one gone-by, but still interesting.
September 14, 2021
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
A classic Maine scene with just a hint of fall color. My visit was about ten days too early to partake in leaf peeping.
September 28, 2021
