Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
October 19, 2021
Bulls Eye
Category Archives: Nature
King Rail and Chick
Cornell’s Merlin App has identified this as a King Rail, a member of the Rallidae Family, along with other Rails, Gallinules, and Coots.
Both the handsome adult and the distinctive all-black chick were new to me. I watched them for ten minutes and the adult kept this posture, perhaps a cooling mechanism on a hot August day, while the chick tottered around in the grass.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC
August 8, 2021
Bird Chaos at Bird Key
Hundreds of birds nested on Bird Key this summer and the land and sky were full of activity on this July day.
Most of the birds on land seen here are Brown Pelicans, the smaller white ones are chicks. The chicks were awkwardly walking, but not yet flying.  There were lots of Laughing Gulls that provided constant noise, and a few White Ibis mixed in.
On the outer edge of the island, the open Atlantic Ocean beyond, a sand bar has formed that was popular spot for preening.
Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC
July 12, 2021
Tree Frog In Calla Lily
The Calla Lily was past its prime, but it still made a cozy spot for a tree frog early this morning.
Alligators at Mill House Pond
After visiting the sheep one day last week I continued across Middleton Place to the Mill Pond where two Alligators were taking advantage of the afternoon sun.
The smaller one plopped down after a short walk across the berm.
I had intended to go past the Mill building, but diverted to the left on an Alligator-free route, stopping for a different view of the big fellow.
Jumping Fish
Every time I’ve been to the pond where I’ve been photographing the damselflies and purple Iris this month the fish have been jumping. Of course every time I try to capture the action. Finally on April 17th I got one.
I have no idea what kind of fish, but they are large, at least a foot (30cm) long.
And they make a pretty good splash.
The Alligators don’t appear to follow them, but you can be sure they know where to look when they are hungry.
Tree Diorama
This scene reminded me of a museum diorama, almost made up with the variety of occupants.
Ornaments by Nature
Dangling from a slim tree branch a wasp nest adds to the decoration of this pond-side tree.
A closer look shows that there is not much supporting the nest. I didn’t see any buzzing activity and don’t know if wasps spend the winter in these nests or hunker in more weather resistant homes.
Stabbed
Stabbed by a pine needle
This rather large fungus looks a bit like a pie…or my mind is still on Thanksgiving.
Path To My Door
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