Category Archives: Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk

January 21, 2019 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

With no leaves on the trees the Red-shouldered Hawks are easy to spot when they are around the edges of the swamp. Their red-orange color palette and size stand out even when they aren’t moving.

After first seeing this one I was able to get an unobstructed view from a little further along the trail.

He appeared to be looking for a snack as he studied the ground.

After about 20 minutes he flexed his wings and I expected him to fly, hoping it would be left to right in front of me.

Not to be, he settled in facing the other way.

Raptor

Turtle, It’s What’s For Lunch

January 17, 2019 Ellen Jennings 10 Comments

I saw this Red-shouldered Hawk standing on the ground at the side of a pond and approached slowly. Other times I’ve seen them do this the bird was squeezing his next meal, but I didn’t see any food here.

Afterwards, when I zoomed in on what I thought was a tree root or Cypress knee, it turned out to be a turtle standing on its end.

Who knew a Red-shouldered Hawk could lift so much?He didn’t struggle at all and disappeared into the woods with his catch

I don’t know what made the hawk take off; I was standing still and the only human in view.

These were taken with the Sony Alpha 6500 which uses an electronic viewfinder, not the best arrangement for images of birds in flight due to the lag time.

Sony Alpha 6500, Sony 55-210 mm, at 210 mm.

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk – Grey Day

January 14, 2019 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

I was taking a short-cut from the rice field back to the swamp and almost walked by him, perched on a branch just off the path. Throughout December I have been hearing the Red-shouldered Hawks calling around the swamp but this is the first one of seen in awhile.

Taken 1/2/2019.

Raptor

Juvenile Bald Eagle

December 16, 2018 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

I spotted this juvenile Bald Eagle circling the rice field pond a couple of times, then he put his feet down. I thought I was going to capture a landing.

He changed his mind! A pair of adult Eagles use this area daily, and generally the juveniles are not welcome to share. I waited and watched thinking maybe one of them was approaching. If so, I did not spot it.

Junior circled the pond one more time then landed in a pine tree further down the edge of the pond. If I hadn’t seen him land I wouldn’t have known he was there. He stayed put for longer than I stood waiting for him to make another move.

Raptor

Eagle Fishing in Pond

December 8, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The Bald Eagles were active November 17 at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, partly due to a fish die off. I previously shared a series of an Eagle Fishing in the Canal from that morning. These single shots were taken in the same area.

Bald Eagle Fishing, Great Egret in Foreground

The Eagles ignored the Alligators and the Vultures ignored the Eagles.

Great Egrets mostly ignored the Eagles, too, feeling no threat on this day. A large group of Ibis left in a panic during one of the Eagle fly overs.

Raptor

Eagle Fishing in Canal

November 25, 2018 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

The rice field impoundments and canals were busy last Saturday morning including a Bald Eagle that was scooping up fish. There had been a die-off over night, likely due to a sudden temperature drop to near freezing.

The Great Egrets went about their business without any fuss.

I was quite a distance from the action but it was cool to see a few Eagles swooping over the Great Egrets and Alligators.

Raptor

Osprey With Catch

November 20, 2018 Ellen Jennings 15 Comments

I had seen a splash up the river where I was watching the Dolphins and thought it might be a strand feeding I had missed. Turns out it was an Osprey using his skills to get lunch!

I was quite surprised when he flew right passed me and continued out to the edge of the ocean where he landed to eat.

I had expected him to turn inland and find a tree and some cover. There had been several Pelicans watching him fish and an Eagle flying over–just a couple of characters that would be happy to take his meal away.

Raptor

Bald Eagle Majesty

October 8, 2018 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

Sunday morning we saw at least seven Bald Eagles between two wildlife management areas we visited. I’m always in awe when I see one; their size and regal bearing when they sit is impressive and their flight skills are extraordinary.

This first one was likely watching the sunrise with us. We were hoping he was going to fish for breakfast in the pond in front of us, but after a half hour of waiting we moved on with him still sitting right there.

This utility pole sits at one end of the Bennets Point Road bridge over the Ashepoo River. From this vantage point the Eagle can see a vast area of river and marshland stretching at least a mile (1.6 KM) east and west.

Juvenile Birds, Raptor

Juvenile Black Vulture

July 16, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

As we approached the turnaround on one of the dikes in the wildlife management area we were visiting a juvenile Black Vulture stood in the middle of the road. Unfortunately he showed no fear of our car or us and only hopped along a few feet.

Ted finally got out of the car to gently urge him out of the driveway and he flapped/hopped up onto the gate, allowing me to turn the car without worrying about hitting him.

His still fuzzy head and hopping rather than flying identifies him as a juvenile. We walked around the opposite end of the gate and went on our way.

When we returned twenty minutes later he had relocated to the other end of the gate.

Quite regal looking, he ignored us as we passed back by and I saw him still there in the rear-view mirror as we drove away.

Raptor

Barred Owl in Bamboo Grove

June 8, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A pair of Barred Owls frequents the pond near this stand of bamboo looking for food. This owl had just had an unsuccessful attempt to catch a noisy bullfrog.

The bullfrog stopped his song but the owl flew away with nothing in his talons. The owl chose a spot with a good view of the pond to watch and listen for his next opportunity.

Native bamboo was grown on the plantations in South Carolina to create natural barriers to help keep livestock in and keep predators out. Today it makes a beautiful addition to some of the area gardens and museum properties.