This is another series of a Black Skimmer fishing at the Magnolia Plantation boat pond on July 4th.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Black Skimmer Fishing, Set 2
Category Archives: Shore Birds
Black Skimmer with Audience
Well, they really weren’t paying any attention to the passing Skimmer, but the Black-crowned Night-heron and Alligator add something to the images. It was shortly after sunrise and the light wasn’t yet reaching the water or the near side of the pond.
When the Skimmer lifted off the water to make a turn he was nicely lit.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Black-necked Stilts Feeding
A small flock of Black-necked Stilts were feeding in a shallow pool left when the water was drained from the big pond. Several of them appeared to be juveniles, both by their squawky constant communication and mottled brown feathers.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Black Skimmer Fishing
Repairs have restarted on the dike around the old rice field pond at Magnolia Plantation so the water level is low. This provides excellent feeding opportunities for a variety of birds, including Black Skimmers. I spent a couple of hours this morning being entertained.
The little fish scatter across the water as they try to avoid the hunter.
Got one!
Now the trick is to not drop it…
… and swallow it on the fly.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Same images in a gallery for testing: click on any image below to start slide show.
Black Skimmer Fishing
Black Skimmer Fishing
Black Skimmer Fishing
Black Skimmer Fishing
Black Skimmer Fishing
Wilson’s Snipe Feeding and Camo
A Wilson’s Snipe was feeding in a pool of clear water, showing off his gorgeous feather colors.
He worked the bottom methodically; I never saw any prey but suspect he was getting little squiggly things.
Then he calmly strolled into some stubble, blending right in with mud and dead vegetation. I looked away for a few seconds and lost sight of him.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 25, 2026
Oystercatchers on Jetty
I saw an Oystercatcher fly by as we walked out to a small jetty. I was somewhat surprised to see one there and also disappointed that I didn’t get a photo.
Then I saw that a number of shore birds had gathered as the ebbing tide exposed the jetty. There was an occasional kerfuffle with some smaller birds that stayed hidden from my view in the grass.
The Oystercatchers were poking around in the grass and climbing the rocks.
There were no oysters in sight, and I didn’t see what prey they might have been getting but they must have been successful as they kept at it.
Port Charles, VA
October 23, 2025
Ruddy Turnstone Chasing Lunch
The receding tide trapped this small fish in the sand swales.
He didn’t stand much of a chance once the Ruddy Turnstone spotted him.
But he sure gave it his all, flopping across the water trying to escape.
After a couple of misses, the Turnstone had his lunch.
And then ran off with it as some other shore birds became aware of his catch.
Port Charles, VA
October 23, 2025
Greater Yellowlegs
Several Greater Yellowlegs were feeding with the late afternoon sun lighting them up.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 9, 2025
ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Forster’s Tern, Getting Lunch
Forster’s Terns are skillful, and somewhat unpredictable, flyers. They hover high over the water then pivot and drop.
This makes them a challenge to photograph unless they are just flying by, like this one.
I attempted to capture numerous dives as a small flock of the terns hunted for fish in the big pond at Donnelley. I finally had some success by focusing on the water where I thought they might dive rather than trying to follow them down.
They make a pretty big splash for a small bird.
Several times a pair of terns had a squabble. They were too far for me to see if one might have been trying to snatch lunch from the other.
ID: Merlin Bird ID App
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30 , 2024
Sanderlings Zipping Along
Sanderlings are just fun to watch, zipping this way then that way, and always make me smile.
St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024