I’ve never seen a Pied-billed Grebe display like this, and have never been aware of any nesting in the bird places we visit.
A nearby potential mate was less than impressed.
Per All About Birds, they make open bowl nests on a platform of floating vegetation and can have from two to ten chicks.
And those chicks will ride on a parent’s back for the first week after hatching. That would be something cool to see!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026
We saw very few Black Skimmers on our recent trip to Florida, and this was the only one I caught in flight.
The Glossy Ibis and Grebes paid him no attention as he performed the classic beak dip as he hunted.
He passed on by and they never even looked up.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 25, 2026
I passed by one Anhinga perched in a Mangrove as I was looking for ducks.
Then I heard a splash.
I did not see where the second Anhinga came from–he might have been swimming by.
I don’t recall hearing any noises from the birds, but they sure moved a lot of water.
At one point they were both underwater, emerging with their necks entwined.
Their full wing spans, typically 40 inches / 109 cm, were on display.
In less than 30 seconds it was over, at least for a drying off period.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 25, 2026
This Pied-billed Grebe was bobbing along in a pond corner. A light breeze was making the water ripple and dried reeds on the bank made contorted reflections.
He was pretty close to the road as we drove by. He surprised me by not diving as often happens as soon as you get one in focus.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
There is nothing graceful about the way Tundra Swans splash down and they have a bit of a kerfuffle if another swan is in their landing path. In the end, no swans were hurt. This time.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Tundra Swans continue to return to South Carolina’s Bear Island Wildlife Management Area each winter. We photographed them this year for the first time since 2020 and were fortunate to go on day that was in the low 70s (21C).
Many of the Swans were towards the middle of Mary’s House Pond giving us a decent view as they moved around.
All that flapping and splashing gives a good audio cue that take off is about to happen.
This duo got further and further apart as they lifted off.
Repeating myself from a 2018 post, these swans can weigh up to 23 pounds (10 Kilos) so getting into the air takes a huge effort and considerable runway distance.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Brown Pelicans like to perch up high around the boat docks in their version of King of the Hill. The view is good, potential food is easily spotted, and its a good place to dry off.
A wider view showing a couple of Laughing Gulls in some prime spots.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
August 5, 2025
Here are some more images from our boat trip to Bird Key – Stono. Following up on my previous post, we didn’t see any chicks, but did see some amazing activity, including this Brown Pelican poised for a dive.
Landing on the island is not allowed during nesting season. In addition to the Brown Pelicans, numerous shore birds including Laughing Gulls and Oyster Catchers nest here.
Dogs are never welcome.
The shape of the island is constantly changing, with Pelicans hanging around on all sides, resting or grooming.
This expanse of sand that faces the open ocean has recently expanded but is extremely vulnerable to storm surge as well as the normal accreting and depletion that all ocean facing beaches experience.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
We didn’t just see Brown Pelicans on the Pelican Cruise. A wide variety of other shore birds are using Bird Key this summer, including American Oyster Catchers.
Our guide could see Black Skimmers nesting in the interior of the island with his binoculars.
The bobbing boat prevented any meaningful photographs, but several were resting at the edge of the surf mixed with some Laughing Gulls.
I was disappointed to not get a clearer image of this juvenile Dolphin, but it was such a joy to pass by a Dolphin pod on our way out to Bird Key.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
Ted and I had the opportunity in June to take a guided boat adventure to see juvenile Pelicans. This year we were back at Bird Key – Stono Seabird Sanctuary which failed as a breeding colony last year due to predator activity.
A number of Brown Pelicans were sitting on nests at the top of a dune and unfortunately chicks were not visible, and may not have hatched yet.
We did get some nice in-flight sightings on the boat trip out.
And some Pelicans that weren’t on nest duty were standing around on the beach.
This beauty glided by us as we were making the return trip to land.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
