Category Archives: Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair

The Red-shouldered Hawks have become very active around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It’s hard to say how many, but I have spotted them hunting in multiple locations around the property.

This one was above the pond where the White Ibis Feeding, constantly watching for something to move.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

While I was watching the first bird, Ted and I realized were photographing different hawks. I zoomed out to 100mm, the minimum on my zoom lens to get them together, if not in great focus.

Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks

Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023

 

Turkey Vultures On The Ground

It was very windy, the kind of wind that makes your eyes water, as I walked around the recently burned rice field pond on Monday. At the first corner a number of Turkey Vultures were hunkered down.

Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vulture On Unburned Clump of Dried Cattails

At first I thought they might have found something dead to snack on, but as I got closer I could see they were resting.

Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures

Some of the reeds on the edge of the pond did burn, although not all the way to the ground.

Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures

A wider view, with the Vultures blending in to the brown vegetation. Oddly, I got no odiferous hint that there had recently been a fire here.

Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 9, 2023