In between watching the action of the Red-headed Woodpeckers and Blue Jays in yesterday’s post I captured some images of just the woodpecker.
These dead pine trees made nice perches, even if the birds were very high up.
They were zipping around so much I have no idea how many there were.
This one looked like he might have been foraging for a meal, but he didn’t do any serious pecking.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
There was a lot of bird chase action in the upper reaches of some pine trees I passed.
I thought the Blue Jay was the aggressor, he was certainly making the most noise.
Multiple individuals of both species were involved. Some of the Red-headed woodpeckers were adults, with a few juveniles as seen above mixed in.
I watched them go back and forth for about 20 minutes and never figured out what the ruckus was about.
Both were showing off their flying skills, and maybe that was the point.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
The big pond at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area is popular with the Belted Kingfishers. In addition to having both a tidal marsh and a large pond to fish, there are a variety of spots the birds can perch to scope out the action.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2023
You often hear a Belted Kingfisher before you see it, with a distinctive chatter as they swoop over ponds or marshes looking for a fish lunch.
This one landed in the Spoonie Tree, too far for a good photo of such a small bird, but a picturesque scene.
A little while later one that was clearly on a mission passed me as I walked along a dike.
And then he landed in another artful looking dead tree, creating an unmistakable silhouette.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 2, 2023
I’ve seen and heard Pileated Woodpeckers near this spot at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens many times. Last week I got a photo op of not just one,
but two, at the side of the exit road as I was headed to my car.
The youngster ducked into hiding while the adult worked his way around this oft trimmed tree.
Finally they came back together, with junior getting a taste of whatever the parent was finding.
June 15, 2023
I was thinking of making this a Silent Sunday post, but anyone who ever spent time around Peacocks knows that just doesn’t fit. These birds can be a nuisance, but there’s no getting around their flashy color scheme.
It took me awhile to spot this Red-bellied Woodpecker after listening to the rat-a-tat for several minutes.
He was working very high up in a dead pine tree on what I presume will be a nesting cavity.
All in, the pecking continued.
He took a few pauses and you can see there are several other holes.
I tried for a different angle, and this isn’t a great image of the bird but it shows off more of the well-used tree.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 11, 2023
There were several species of woodpeckers all around me, one of the few birds I can readily identify by sound. But spotting one was another matter.
Finally, a peek-a-boo look. Surely he will climb around to my side of this tree.
No, a speedy exit, lower right.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 19, 2023
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.”
And he flew right on 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.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
