A storm seemed imminent with darkening clouds and some distant thunder so I was headed back to my car from the swamp. A number of Grackles were entertaining me along the way, including this one perched on a slowly deteriorating tree. The tree reminds me of an artwork, perhaps a wrist and hand holding up the sky.
Grackle in Dead Tree
A few more steps along and a different look to the sky and those outstretched fingers.
Grackle in Dead Tree
I had driven barely a mile down the road when the sun came out bright. I’ve learned that summer thunder/rain storms around Charleston can be very localized and nothing to mess with.
Often the little birds are all tucked in at the end of the day but this little fellow was hunting for snacks just before the sun dipped below the tree line.
Since I walked this path a month ago the water has been drained out of the pond behind this Eastern Eastern Kingbird.
Eastern Kingbird
Dragonflies were hovering over the mostly dry pond bed and the Kingbird was taking advantage. He had a nice snack of what looked like an Eastern Pondhawk between these two images. Unfortunately swaying reeds on the bank ruined all images of that!
Eastern Kingbird
A chick joined the adult calling to be fed. The adult didn’t seem impressed and soon they swooped off together. Time for the juvenile to catch his own lunch.
The Eastern Kingbird is a perky flycatcher known for being tyrannical. These two entertained me as they called and flitted along a tree line running between two ponds.
Eastern Kingbird
There may have been a third one, it was hard to tell the way they were moving around.
Eastern Kingbird
At least this one was behaving like a juvenile waiting for food to be brought.
Eastern Kingbird
He made a few forays out over the water after bugs but I’m not sure he caught any before getting safely back to his perch.