Category Archives: Birds

Birds

Sandhill Crane Flyby, And a Caracara

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I heard him coming…Sandhill Cranes are really loud.

From Cornell’s All About Birds:

“a loud rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness.”

Sandhill Crane Flying By
Sandhill Crane Flying By

And he flew right on by.

Sandhill Crane Flying By
Sandhill Crane Flying By

I could hardly make a post of this last, far off photo, but I was pretty amazed to see a Crested Caracara fly by just a few minutes before the Crane.

Crested Caracara Flying By
Crested Caracara Flying By

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Birds

Kingfisher On the Spoonie Tree

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There are almost always a Belted Kingfisher or two swooping around the ponds at Donnelley WMA. This morning I thought I was going to get a real close up of one on a rice field trunk. Ha!

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

Before I could even get my camera to eye level she was gone.

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

I did track her across the pond.

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

Where she landed on the Spoonie Tree…way to far for a good shot, but she did stop moving!

Belted Kingfisher at top of Spoonie Tree
Belted Kingfisher at top of Spoonie Tree

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022

Birds

Belted Kingfisher Flying By

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I photographed a few passes of this Belted Kingfisher including this set as he swooped along a marsh inlet.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

She had sounded the characteristic Kingfisher chatter just before taking flight or I probably would have missed her.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

She is identifiable as a female by the brown stripe on her chest that males lack.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022

Birds

Little Blue Heron

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A Little Blue Heron stood one-legged on a stump, at the end of an early December day.

Little Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron

The road we drove on was only a few feet from the bird and I expected him to fly any moment, but he seemed content.

Little Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron

The pond behind him was glowing from the low sun.

Little Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron

Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022

Birds

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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We get Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in our yard, but they are very shy, zipping away at the slightest movement towards them. These images were taken at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, near the ticket kiosk, with a steady stream of humans much of the day.

There is also a great selection of flowers for the hummers to feed on.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

July 21, 2022