Category Archives: Water Birds

Water Birds

Trumpeter Swan In And Out of Shadows

May 24, 2024 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This Trumpeter Swan was casually feeding, pulling vegetation up from the pond bottom.

He was in no particular hurry, paddling back and forth in and out of shadows created by the pond-side trees.

His movement made ripples in the water as he got further from shore, maybe as the depth of the water changed.

And the ripples sometimes make freakish reflections…two headed swan…or head with a donut hole.

It wasn’t intentional, but I mostly captured this swan going to my right–was that his better side?

Swan Lake Iris Gardens is a public park in Sumter, SC and has been home to all eight known swan species.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumpter SC
May 21, 2024

Water Birds

Whooper Swan and Purple Iris

May 23, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

A Whooper Swan was doing a bit of grooming with a purple iris backdrop at Swan Lake.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens is a public park in Sumter, SC and has been home to all eight known swan species.

Many of the iris beds have undergone thinning and resetting since we were last there so the flowers weren’t as dramatic, but it was still pretty nice!

Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumpter SC
May 21, 2024

Water Birds

Laughing Gull With a Fish

May 10, 2024 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 3, 2024

Water Birds

Black Skimmer Skimming

May 5, 2024 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The gate was closed at our intended destination on Friday morning so we took a chance on a pond where we’ve only seen mosquitoes and deer flies the last few times we’ve been there.

Black Skimmers are a delight to watch with amazing aerobatic skills and we found a half dozen of them working the area.

They work hard for their meals, flying at different heights around a pond or marsh then dropping their lower beak into the water.

The fish can sense the approach, scattering as the bird closes in.

Got something!

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 3, 2024

Water Birds

Mute Swan Show Off

March 19, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The pair of swans that live at Middleton Place’s Reflection Pool spend their days patrolling up and down the pond or lounging on the banks with the occasional turtle or small alligator enjoying the sun with them. On my recent visit two workmen were trying to dislodge a clog of the pool’s drainage system. One of the swans was not keen on sharing his territory, making his presence known with fluffed up wings and neck displays.