Category Archives: Animals

Animals

White-tailed Deer Fawn

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Another photographer told me about this young fawn just off the boardwalk. It would be easy to pass right by without seeing it; in fact I saw some chatty folks do just that.

White-tailed Deer Fawn
White-tailed Deer Fawn

The fawn never moved while I took a few photographs.

White-tailed Deer Fawn
White-tailed Deer Fawn

I did two circuits around the Beidler boardwalk and the second time around he was in the same spot,  tucked down even further and appeared to be asleep.

White-tailed Deer Fawn
White-tailed Deer Fawn

As I walked away something startled him and he took off like a shot. I expect the Doe wasn’t far off. Deer are known to leave their young on their own as their spotty camouflage and lack of scent protects them from predators.

White-tailed Deer Fawn
White-tailed Deer Fawn

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
April 14, 2023

Animals

Cashmere Goat Escapades

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Three years ago I posted about Middleton Place’s new  pair of Cashmere Goats in their Heritage Stable yard and how the goats like to climb on things.

Turns out they like to head-butt things, too. Like the gate to their enclosure and then to make unauthorized excursions. Yesterday morning when staff arrived the goats had broken into the sheep pen.

The goats were moved into an empty pasture area while repairs were conducted and when I passed by the goats seemed a bit lost in this great big space that sometimes has a few horses in it.

Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats

I have heard the clunk of their horns when they tussle and can easily see how this pair could use their heads to break down about anything.

Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats

Staff had started afternoon feedings at the other end of the barn yard and I’m sure they knew their turn was coming.

But wait, we’re not where we get fed!

Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats

The goats were led back to their pen a few minutes later, where their dinner awaited them.

Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 3, 2023

Animals

Goats Of Another Color

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Middleton Place has a non-featured trio of goats in their Heritage Stable yard. They are in the back, away from the flashier Cashmere Goats that are penned next to the sheep. There may be goat antics that require this separation.

I’ve stopped by to see these three many times and a couple weeks ago for the first time the goats were in a sun patch, although didn’t line up for any kind of group photo. They’ve got some impressive horns and did show off their goatees.

Brown Goat
Brown Goat, Nice view of the rectangular pupil
Brown Goat
Black Goat

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
November 29, 2022

Animals, Raptor, Video

Raccoon: Backyard Shenanigans

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After finding my backyard bird feeder on the ground two mornings in a row I put up the trail cam.

Ah ha! I had brought the feeder in, but there was plenty of seed scattered around the ground.

Racoon Reaching Up Bird Feeder Pole
Racoon Reaching Up Bird Feeder Pole

A couple of nights later, I discovered the Raccoon had company: check out the pair of eyes on the fence, just to the left of the pole.

Barred Owl on fence watching Racoon scrounge
Barred Owl on fence watching Racoon scrounge

Here’s a low quality 20 second video where you can see the owl’s eyes change as it turns its head.

Update: depending on how you are viewing this post, the video may not play. On Ted’s iPad, viewing through WP Reader, the controls are visible but nothing happens 🙁.

The raccoon came back about an hour later and there was no sign of the Owl. The camera had not picked up his movements coming or going.

I’m identifying the bird as a Barred Owl based on size and regularly hearing one in the area.

GardePro A3 Trail Camera

Animals

Armadillo Quadruplets

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Referred to as pups, baby Nine-banded Armadillos almost always come in fours. The fertilized egg breaks into four identical zygotes, yielding quadruplets.

Juvenile Armadillo Quintuplets
Juvenile Armadillo Quintuplets, Just off the boardwalk

No adult was to be seen supervising this quartet of constant movement. They nurse for two to three months then gradually venture off on their own.

Juvenile Armadillo
Juvenile Armadillo, Standing up

Insects, larvae and other food found on or in the ground make up the Armadillo’s diet.

Juvenile Armadillo
Juvenile Armadillo

This fellow shows off his claw and snout, the tools used to maximize his grazing.

Juvenile Armadillo
Juvenile Armadillo

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
July 9, 2022

Animals

Marsh Rabbit

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The dike across the big pond at Donnelley WMA was rife with Marsh Rabbits the last time I went.

Marsh Rabbit
Marsh Rabbit

I lost count around twenty.

Marsh Rabbit
Marsh Rabbit, Munching on Grass

I didn’t see this one until I was right beside him; I was more surprised he didn’t bolt.

Marsh Rabbit
Marsh Rabbit

This one did. Smart rabbit.

Marsh Rabbit
Marsh Rabbit – I’m outta here

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 3, 2022

Animals

Dolphin In Marsh

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Seeing Dolphins never gets old…

Dolphin Pair in Marsh
Dolphin Pair in Marsh

There was an exceptionally high tide that morning, allowing Dolphin to explore beyond their normal range.

Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek
Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek

These Dolphin would have traveled more than ten miles from St. Helena Sound to reach this point. Follow all the twists and turns along the yellow line I’ve drawn:

Path of the Dolphin, Nine miles (14.5 KM) as the crow flies

This spot is a dead end for their travels.

Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek
Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek

The pair swirled around in this pool a few times then disappeared back the way the came.

Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek
Dolphin Pair in Marsh Creek

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022