All posts by Ellen Jennings

Landscape

Early Morning Fog, Ashley River

October 16, 2026 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Just before dawn this morning a few wading birds and alligators had started their day.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 16, 2026

Black and White, This and That

Hand Water Pump, Black and White

October 15, 2026 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The pump at the edge of the Boynton House trail was lit by the sun when we drove by earlier this week. A recent rain had revived the resurrection fern around the pump house.

Boynton House Property
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 12, 2026

Reptiles

Alligator Lineup

October 15, 2026 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The water was high in the ponds so alligators were crowding together on the edge of the marsh grass to take advantage of the sun.

This line of four with a younger one doing his own thing.

And this jowly pair, snout to snout.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 12, 2026

Wading Birds

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron

October 14, 2026 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

I didn’t spot the Great Blue Heron from my previous post after he disappeared, but I found this Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron in a photogenic pose.

A variety of wading birds frequent this group of trees on the tidal side of the dike. At full tide there are ample perching spots available to wait for the tide to recede and the marsh to reveal lunch.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 12, 2026

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron in the Reeds

October 14, 2026 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

This Great Blue Heron was wandering around the back of my car as we returned from a walk on the dike.

I expected him to fly off, but he walked across the road, circled behind a tree and stealthily disappeared into the reeds.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 12, 2026

Reptiles, Wading Birds

Great Egret and Alligators at the Base of Spoonie Tree

October 13, 2026 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Wind was whipping up the water and bird feathers at Donnelly on Monday. This Great Egret was perched on the base of the now fallen Spoonie Tree.

Great Egret, Two Alligators — Great Egret, Alligator snout

I moved along the dike and got a couple more views, not seeing those massive Alligators until looking through my pictures at home.

I think of Alligators as wanting to stay out of the wind especially on a day below 75 degrees F (24 C) , but there were many laying around on the pond banks soaking up the sun.