The setting sun was behind me, casting an orangey glow to the east. A few Great Blue Herons were settling in for the night.
I was shooting with my 18-200mm lens, not the best for this distance especially in low light. Still, I couldn’t resist capturing a Great Blue Heron finally leaving this nesting spot after a noisy territorial kerfuffle.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 4, 2025
It was a foggy start on December 30th at Donnelley WMA.
After the fog lifted a few Cormorants were still sitting in the Spoonie Tree and an Alligator was swimming by in the opposite direction. A Black-crowned Night-heron stayed tucked into the grass on the hummock.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024
Into a fall scene
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 15, 2024
This is one of my favorite spots even on a dull, grey day. The pond surface was smooth, making a nice reflection with the bit of color left in the trees. The silvery Spanish Moss and leafless branches bring thoughts of winter.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 8, 2024
The season is changing, looking more like autumn each day.
This was at the end of October when the changing hues of the grasses made a nice backdrop.
The water level in the pond was quite high. We’ve heard there is a plan to lower it sometime this month which will attract more birds with easier feeding opportunities.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 30, 2024
It was a golden and orange morning around Ravenswood Pond.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 25, 2024
The sun had cleared the trees at the far end of Ravenswood Pond, highlighting some Spanish Moss.
The late afternoon sun lit up a few grass plumes mixed in a stand of trees.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 15, 2024
The “Spoonie Tree” continues to decline, and in July the water was lowered in the pond exposing its roots. For several years I have thought that this will be the year that this tree finally topples, but there it stands. The first picture I can find that I took of the tree, from October 2017, the tree was far from healthy, but still living.
On this hot July day the alligators were out in force, mostly just floating around mid-day when we stopped by.
There was a Belted Kingfisher perched atop the tree, while all the wading birds stayed to the back of the pond as seen above.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 21, 2024
and a bit of Spanish Moss…
May 24, 2024
