Roseate Spoonbill With a Stick

This Roseate Spoonbill really wanted to sit in the Spoony Tree with his stick. I didn’t see him arrive, but think he just flew up from underneath the tree.

Roseate Spoonbill With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill With Stick In the Spoonie Tree

Who knows why, it’s not breeding season yet and he doesn’t look like he’s of breeding age based on still having pin feathers on his head.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

He took off when the Cormorants started squawking at him.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

The Anhinga was not impressed when he came right back.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

He headed across the dike, where he promptly landed in the mudflats and abandoned the stick for some fishing.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021

American White Pelican Taking Off

Seeing an American White Pelican lift off from the water is an impressive sight.

American White Pelican Taking Off
American White Pelican Taking Off

A couple of wing flaps and a small splash

American White Pelican Taking Off
American White Pelican Taking Off

and they are airborne.

American White Pelican Taking Off
American White Pelican Taking Off

This time the Pelican wasn’t going far, he lifted up over this hummock and landed on the other side, out of my sight.

American White Pelican Taking Off
American White Pelican Taking Off

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
December 25, 2021

American White Pelicans, Early Light

Getting to the Wildlife Management Area early payed off yesterday with some gorgeous early light and a small flock of American White Pelicans.

American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans

These two were fairly close to the dike and the marsh grass made a nice reflection in the water.

American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans

Back and forth, a cool profile shadow on the leader.

American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans

And an occasional gulp of a snack.

American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
December 25, 2021

Ring-billed Gull Snagging Lunch

I spotted this Ring-billed Gull just before he hit the water.

Ring-billed Gull Face Plant
Ring-billed Gull Face Plant

There wasn’t much of a splash and the gull’s wings never went under the surface.

Ring-billed Gull Face Plant
Ring-billed Gull Face Plant

One powerful beat of his wings and he was up.

Ring-billed Got A Fish
Ring-billed Got A Fish

A small splash and he was away.

Ring-billed Liftoff With Fish
Ring-billed Liftoff With Fish

Wasting no time, he sped off before one of the other circling gulls or terns noticed his catch.

Ring-billed Liftoff With Fish
Ring-billed Liftoff With Fish

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021