White Ibis working on his nest, flying over pond covered with duck weed.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 14, 2026
White Ibis Fly-by with Nest Materials
Category Archives: Wading Birds
White Ibis Shaking It Off
White Ibis in breeding colors, washing his face.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 14, 2026
Wood Stork Getting A Drink
It’s a process
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 14, 2026
Great Blue Heron Take Off
I watched this Great Blue Heron just standing around in the swamp, stock still as herons often are when they hunt.
Then a few stealthy steps through the duckweed followed by a big wing flap!
One good downstroke and he was off with a clean exit from the water.
His legs got into the action, almost like running on water.
Then he glided to a landing just out of my view, where presumably the hunting would better.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 4, 2026
White Ibis Hunting for Lunch
The pond at the bamboo garden is at the highest level I’ve seen it in a while, maybe years. Last week water was being actively pumped into the far corner.
The light made a lovely glow around this immature White Ibis as he probed the bottom.
Bamboo Garden Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 4, 2026
Yellow-crowned Night-heron Rookery
On three trips to Cypress Wetlands this nesting season and I’ve not seen the Yellow-crowned Night-herons performing their mating dance. They seem to be all paired up now with some nest repair activity on Monday, but mostly they were settled in.
I couldn’t see if this pair was at a nest or just hanging around, but they did have a touching moment.
A few trees over this one flew into an open space for a ruffle…
…followed by a look around.
Then he turned away from me showing off those beautiful feathers flowing down his back.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 27, 2026
White Ibis, Sky Check
I rounded the corner of the swamp boardwalk to find this White Ibis walking the railing.
Something overhead caught his eye.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut, more than the usual blink.
Maybe he didn’t like what he saw.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
Wood Stork, Stick Gathering
He started out with a couple of leaves that he quickly discarded.
Then he pulled on some vines that were firmly attached.
Hmm, lets take a break.
Trying this again…
More pulling and yanking did not provide a different result: the vines were staying put.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
Yellow-crowned Night-heron Grooming
The foliage was dense and I didn’t see any Yellow-crowned Night-herons performing their mating dance but this fellow picked an open spot to work on his feathers.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
Black-crowned Night-herons Nesting
We went back to where the Black-crowned Night-herons are nesting at Cypress Wetlands yesterday.
This one was busy preening, standing on one leg with a toenail of the other poking out through his feathers and casting a shadow on his wing.
This pair were working on their nest with the male delivering sticks…
…which the female worked into a perfect spot.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026