Earlier this fall I mentioned that the water was being drained from the big rice field pond at Magnolia in preparation for burning the invasive cattails. Conditions to start the fire didn’t come together before the approach of a late season hurricane  and with the potential for damage to the dikes from a storm management decided to let the water back in.

This past week they decided to try again. One of the staff told me they hope to burn by the end of December. In the mean time, wading birds have gathered to take advantage of easy feeding in the shallow water.

The alligator ramp in the upper right in the next photo would normally have water up to the lower end.

The Great Egret in the center caught a tiny fish, and a leaf.

It was a grey day so I didn’t get much contrast with all the white birds, but it was a fun show.

Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022