Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 19, 2024
Barred Owl Shaking Off
Category Archives: Raptor
Black Vultures, Cool Morning
The Black Vultures at Orlando Wetlands were warming up in the morning sun before taking to the skies.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
December 30, 2023
Barred Owl Behind Curtain of Moss
We’ve made several trips to the wading bird rookery in Port Royal over the last few weeks. Each time I’ve heard Barred Owls calling around the neighborhood. Once I spotted one being chased by a crow, and on this day one was perched just outside the Yellow-crowned Night-heron rookery.
I didn’t have that great a view of the owl, but I think he had a great view of the rookery. There aren’t any heron chicks yet, but I expect this Owl will be a challenge for the heron parents.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 29, 2024
Red-shouldered Hawk, Red Buds
I heard two squawking Red-shouldered Hawks, and spotted this one just as he landed on a small tree stump. The red blooms or seed pods behind him made an interesting background.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 4, 2024
Red-shouldered Hawk
February 4, 2024
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair
The Red-shouldered Hawks have started hanging out in pairs. Nesting season can’t be far off for them.
Canon 100mm Macro lens
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 25, 2024
Osprey On Palm Stump With Fish
Another Osprey was perched with his half eaten fish.
And yes, it was windy.
He was hanging on to the fish pretty tightly, balanced on his other leg leaning into the wind.
Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Red-shouldered Hawk on Palm
This was a day for raptors, including this Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a weather-beaten palm tree.
He sat still when I got out of the car…
But took off when another vehicle passed. He did not fly in the direction I was ready for, coming much closer than I anticipated. The composition of this image is not at all pleasing but I loved the color pattern on his outstretched wing.
Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Red-shouldered Hawk on Fence Post, 2
Same hawk on the same post, with me at a different angle giving the bird a vegetation background rather than the sky.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Osprey Out Car Window
Sections of Bio Lab Road are just at the edge of the lagoon. This Osprey was at the perfect spot on a fallen tree snag for me to be at his eye level with water behind him.
In the shadow beneath him was the remnants of a fish he was eating.
Check out that leg and the talons!
Attempted theft of their catch is a common occurrence for raptors, which may be why he was watching the sky.
Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023