A small group of Hooded Mergansers was idly swimming a section of an inlet off Shem Creek.
I expected to see them diving for food, but they just bobbed along.
Not sure what caused this kerfuffle and it was over in a second.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
February 9, 2024
This variety of Tulip Magnolia reminds me of a daisy. Although more subdued than the flashy pink ones I’ve been featuring the blossoms have their own charm.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 16, 2024
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
February 9, 2024
It was a grey day and a mostly grey bird so not much contrast, but this Horned Grebe gave me quite a show.
He circled around in front of me, and even gave a flap…
and a stretch.
I was expected him to dive, which I had seen him do when I was some distance from him.
Diving wasn’t in his plan and he paddled away towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
February 9, 2024
We spotted some Roseate Spoonbills at the start of our first trip around Black Point Wildlife Drive on our New Years trip to Florida.
This section of the marsh is often nearly dry, but higher than normal December rains had provided enough water depth for the Spoonbills to wade and forage.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 30, 2023
Yet another pink bloomer that has performed with pizzazz– some kind of ornamental fruit tree, I think.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 16, 2024
Yellow-rumped Warblers seem to be everywhere I go the last few weeks. I caught a few in a moment of rest.
February 21, 2024
Lately I’ve been seeing squirrels all over Magnolia Plantation. With few leaves on the trees I’ve gotten a few images.
This first one was enjoying a colorful snack on one of the inner pathways.
This fellow was trying to pretend he didn’t see me, with some kind of a nut in his mouth.
This squirrel was in the parking lot and snapped off a bunch of the berries like they were grapes before moving to a more secure location to start snacking.
At the edge of the parking lot, this squirrel was waiting for me to pass by before making his move.
Antique–belonging to an earlier time …Merriam-Webster
I’m not sure I like items I remember using in my childhood being antiques, but that is what comes to mind every time I pass by this hand pump driving into Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. Whatever it provided water for is long gone. It seems too far from the Boynton House to have been their source of water, maybe a barn stood here.
A bluebird box stands on the other side of the road.
I didn’t see the Carolina Wren until he flew up onto the pump outlet.
For reference, here’s an image I took last April from the road, the Boynton House in the background, that I never published on this blog.
Boynton House Property
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 21, 2024
It is still winter, but on this sunny day when it was nearly 70 degrees (21 C), a single Cloudless Sulphur butterfly visited a patch of fading daffodils.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 21, 2024
