A juvenile Eastern Bluebird perched on one of the monuments at Magnolia Cemetery.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 5, 2026
Eastern Bluebird, Monument Perch
Moonflower, 2
My backyard moonflowers have been blooming for over a month with ten or twelve flowers opening every evening. It’s been an exceptional gift from one seed!
This flower was a rarity in the group, opening all the way around, with no drooping of the petals. At least in this moment.
August 28, 2026
Wood Stork, Chick and Parent
The adult Wood Stork didn’t move much, changing from left facing to right facing just once while I was watching.
The chick tried all kinds of positions from having his legs bended beneath him in the first image to upright…
… to the full tall stretch.
Their bodies are roughly the same size, but you can see the youngster doesn’t have the full tail or beak length yet.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Danger, Danger!
The adult Common Gallinule was aware of the approaching alligator and started fussing at her chicks.
Gather around!
Better yet, get behind me.
A squawk for good measure, as if that would deter an alligator!
The chicks got the message and continued away from the water.
The alligator veered off, drifting into the pond bank a bit further along. Perhaps he wasn’t hungry, or that loud bird wasn’t worth his effort.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Wood Stork, Getting A Snack
Only sometimes it turns out to be a dud.
Just open your beak…
…and drop it back in the water.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Morning Glory, 1
Colorful Morning Glories was what I really was looking forward to on our new arbor. The white Moonflowers have stolen the show in both number and size, but there have been a few lovely Morning Glory blooms.
A recent overnight rain left some well placed drops.
August 22, 2026
Juvenile Carolina Anole, Explorer
I didn’t spot this newly hatched Anole until he moved from the brown to the yellow section of the dying moonflower leaf.
A little unsure of himself he flipped around…
… then jumped to another leaf where he gave me a few seconds of portrait images.
Looking around and exploring his new world.
August 21, 2026
Moonflowers, Isolated with Raindrops
The Moonflower blossoms are quite sturdy while they are open and the petals hold up even after a rain.
As they go by the petals curl inward in a variety of patterns.
This one is my recent favorite.
Many of the blooms have smudges on the inside — dirt or who knows what — as they open. We do sometimes see small flies or gnats inside the flowers. And the white shows everything.
August 22, 2026
Snowy Egret Hanging Out In the Spoonie Tree
A Snowy Egret doing what egrets do: stand, stretch, scratch and stare.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
June 21, 2026
The Spoonie Tree Finally Tipped Over
I’ve watched this tree slowly tilt for many years. It was upright at our last visit in June, when there wasn’t much going on but I did take one shot of the tree:
Sometime between then and August 9 it tipped over.
Hopefully it will continue to provide a bird soap box for years.
A few posts documenting the tree’s demise:
February 2024: Cormorants in the Spoonie Tree
August 2023: The Spoonie Tree, August 2023
November 2021: The Spoonie Tree, Slowly It Tilts
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 9, 2026