A group of Wood Ducks had the Alligator ramp to themselves on one recent morning.
Stretching and preening, I saw a few flashes of blue.
In lookout position, this one seemed ready to signal a retreat, one foot over the edge.
But they stayed spread out and stayed for a few photos.
August 31, 2021
A few of the dozens of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks I saw earlier this week treated me to some fly-bys.
Most interesting was seeing the white wing stripe as they flapped by me.
August 29. 2021
This was one of those “stop the car, back up” moments as we drove into a wildlife management area and Ted spotted an odd movement.
About then Ted spotted a second duck in the tree above that was quick to fly up onto a nearby stump and show off his pink feet.
These Black-bellied Whittling Ducks are quite striking with that white wing stripe setting off the brown and black of the body.
This one spent quite a few minutes poking at the top of the stump. I’m not sure what he was doing, they are mostly vegetarians but will eat insects so he may have been looking for a snack.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 29, 2021
These ramps are installed in ponds for Alligators to lounge where the tourists can see them but not be too close. The birds like a dry spot, too.
August 23, 2021
This has been a summer for Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, with this sighting at the Magnolia Cemetery pond.
They are another bird that is expanding its range northward and I’ve only seen them in this area the last two or three years.
This pair alternated their time between sitting in the trees and sitting in the water on a very hot SC day.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 2, 2021
A pair of young Wood Ducks graced a small clump of reeds in the middle of the pond.
I didn’t see the one closer to me until it started swimming away, showing just a flash of blue.
The Boat Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
The same day I saw the Wood Duck Ducklings I spotted three larger groups of older ducks in a nearby pond.
I suspect they are mostly this year’s hatchlings from earlier broods.
The one group that was closer to shore when I passed was quick to head towards the others.
The Boat Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
But, when I passed back by the ducklings were up near the shore. They quickly headed back out into the pond.
Which way?
They regrouped and stayed together for as long as I could spot them.
The mother didn’t show any concern.
For context, here is a pulled back view. Those ducklings are out there somewhere, tucked under the vegetation somewhere between mama and the juvenile Little Blue Heron.
This is the opposite end of the pond where I photographed the Sunning Juvenile Alligators on Sunday. When the pond is filled this area is all under water.
Several Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks duos were in view and working the pond edge, along with some juvenile Gallinules.
This pair was was off by themselves.
Evidently they had no where to be and plopped down.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 25, 2021
I can’t resist taking images of Mallards, especially when a reflection might be involved.
This one didn’t have much to do, he slowly drifted from the shade of an overhanging tree out into the sunshine.
