These two dragonfly perches, one a random piece of rebar and one a dead branch, are just a few feet from each other in the corner of a local pond.
I took these three images within a couple of minutes while several dragonflies chased each other off these coveted spots.
I took this final picture at a 90 degree angle from the one just above, capturing a completely different background.
I would never be surprised to find the Skinny Tree had succumbed to the elements and fallen into the pond. Happily, it made it through another wading bird nesting season, providing a start to one Great Blue Heron chick in the top nest and five or six Great Egret chicks in at least two nests lower down.
All sorts of birds will use the tree as a perch for the next several months for fleeting moments. Come December the cycle will start again again when the Great Blue Herons start staking out nest sites and hopefully this tree will be around to participate.
It appears that the duck box has no bottom, so any Wood Ducks looking for a nesting spot will have to find another location.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
On to the next bite
Another successful dive
The fish went down
But how to get rid of the garnish
Dunk and swish
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 25, 2021
It is common for female Alligators to have multiple age youngsters in her care, which may include some hatched from other nests as well as her own. These two from a pod that included three ages/sizes are a good example.
I stayed focused on the moving Alligator, wondering if there was going to be some action.
There was not; the moving Alligator just plopped down. In addition to seeing the size difference in their heads, you can see the smaller Alligator’s tail just under the larger one’s chin.
But, when I passed back by the ducklings were up near the shore. They quickly headed back out into the pond.
Which way?
They regrouped and stayed together for as long as I could spot them.
The mother didn’t show any concern.
For context, here is a pulled back view. Those ducklings are out there somewhere, tucked under the vegetation somewhere between mama and the juvenile Little Blue Heron.
I love to watch this scenario, especially when a reflection is involved.
Lunch is small bites
Hold on tight so it doesn’t escape
One quick flip
Next!
This is the opposite end of the pond where I photographed the Sunning Juvenile Alligators on Sunday. When the pond is filled this area is all under water.
Several Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks duos were in view and working the pond edge, along with some juvenile Gallinules.
This pair was was off by themselves.
Evidently they had no where to be and plopped down.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 25, 2021
Most of the water was let out of this pond earlier this summer leaving a narrow depression of water and a nice edge for young Alligators to enjoy the morning sun.
A few more were milling around in the water.
And a few more were in the reeds on a little raised island. I didn’t see the mother but know she wasn’t far off.
Based on the location and territorial habits of Alligators these are likely some of the youngsters I photographed last fall, seen here stacked up around their mother.
This is the same Turkey Vulture I’ve featured in recent posts as part of the the educational and flight demonstration program at the Center for Birds of Prey, this time showing off his flight skills.
Turkey Vultures are impressive with their flight skills, easily making sharp turns, using their wings to full advantage.
It was very cool to see this one glide just above the ground, with seemingly little effort.
The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC
June 24, 2021
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Like nature shows on tv, our nature boat trip to Bird Key to see the Brown Pelican chicks included some mating. This time is was not birds, but Dolphins.
Our boat captain and guide spotted a pod of Dolphins on our return trip up the Kiawah River. He was quick to say he thought we’d also see some mating based on his interpretation of what we were seeing.
From our distance on a bobbing boat it was hard to say for sure, but scenes frozen by the camera tell the story. Before you scroll on I’ll tell you that even at a distance they are graphic. And amazing.
The gestation period for Bottlenose Dolphins is twelve months. Tune in a year from now and we may see a calf.
Kiawah River, SC
July 12, 2021
