Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
Red-headed Woodpecker
Category Archives: Birds
Sandhill Crane Having a Flap
Or…
a one
and a two
and a three
All done.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Sandhill Crane Family On Walk
The Sandhill Crane family was on a walk when I passed by their marsh area.
The youngster, known as a colt because of their long legs, was curious about his surroundings but didn’t stray far from his parents. I didn’t see any sign that junior had started to fly, which happens around two months of age.
Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, poking around in the swamp and grasses for food.
The parents seemed to be more attentive than when I saw them two days before this.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Black-necked Stilt Fly-by
A pair of Black-necked Stilts swooped on by me as I stood on a dike at Orlando Wetlands.
Often described as “stately” due to their color scheme and long legs, they are also elegant flyers.
And fly they did, right on to the other side of this impoundment.
April 10, 2022
Juvenile Sandhill Crane
A young Sandhill Crane was busy looking around in the grass as his parents were feeding in the marsh.
They weren’t far off, 20 or 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), and maybe paying more attention to him than it appeared.
As they went around the water’s edge he trailed along behind them, but I didn’t see him eat anything.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 10, 2022
Red-bellied Woodpecker
A Red-bellied Woodpecker was very busy investigating a small hole in a tree limb.
From another angle the bird is nearly camouflaged against the rough bark.
He finally put his head up long enough for me to get a better view, but never came fully out of the shade.
Downy Woodpecker
A Downy Woodpecker chose a wide open spot on a vine wrapped tree for a moment of rest.
I haven’t seen many Downy Woodpeckers lately; 2018 was the last time I had one on this blog.
This one posed for a few images before getting to work looking for food.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 15, 2022
Belted Kingfisher, Artsy Look
This Belted Kingfisher tormented me, as they generally do, by hovering over a small pond out of my camera’s reach.
Then he rested. I liked the appearance of his crown as an inversion of the palm tree.
Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker
This Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker’s movement in some dead trees caught my eye. I could hear cheeping from him and two or three others nearby.
The conundrum of where to look: I decided not to take my eyes off this one. If he flew I likely wouldn’t spot him as he blended in with the Spanish moss and snags. And I may not be able to spot the others.
He performed the classic rotation around the limb woodpecker maneuver.
He paused for a moment before zipping off into a leafy tree with no photo opportunity.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 19, 2021
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird On Purple
A large bed of these purple flowers, maybe Salvia of some kind, kept this Ruby-throated Hummingbird busy.
They both provided me with an unexpected photo shoot.
