It’s a little early for a Red-headed Woodpecker to be scouting out nesting sites, but given the competition it doesn’t hurt to look around.

Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest, SC
January 8, 2023
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!

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

I did track her across the pond.

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

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
I photographed a few passes of this Belted Kingfisher including this set as he swooped along a marsh inlet.

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

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

Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022
A Little Blue Heron stood one-legged on a stump, at the end of an early December day.

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.

The pond behind him was glowing from the low sun.

Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022
We are starting to see Belted Kingfishers after several month’s absence. This first one was checking out the ponds at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area yesterday.

There were two chasing each other around the pond at Magnolia Cemetery on Sunday. I captured one as he swooped low over the pond.

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.




July 21, 2022