The top deck of the skinny tree has been occupied by a Great Blue Heron for several weeks. Some “nestoration” had been completed when I took this at the end of December.
Compare the nest to this image from December 14, before this nest site was claimed and a few orange leaves were still hanging on.
A Pied-billed Grebe paddled into the corner of a pond, the wind rippling his wake.
Some tall reeds worked like a blind for me…
…for a minute.
He popped right back up,
and paddled away.
Back in October I posted images of a Bald Eagle Pair. After taking those photographs I look in that tree every time I pass by and three weeks ago I was rewarded with one half of the pair on the very same branch.
The mate was nearby, perched on their nest.
At the darkest point of winter the end of my favorite pond where much of the Great Blue Heron nesting activity is in shadows while the Herons are still working at attracting mates.
The White Ibis wasn’t impressed with the song and decided to move on.
The GBH remained hopeful, long feathers up.
I moved a bit further on, and the ritual began again.
January 3, 2021
I was hungry when I saw this fungus sprouting off a tree trunk: all I could think of was pancakes.
From the other side and a bit higher up, imagine a drizzle of amber colored maple syrup as you ponder the pine needle stabbing the biggest cake.
As the Great Blue Herons move into breeding season I see them often as Stick Gatherers as seen in yesterday’s post.
This one was just hanging out in a bare tree, soaking up the afternoon sun.
I had seen the Heron from the other side of the tree and was surprised he stayed put until I passed by.
He gave me a nice photo shoot, then moved on.
Another nesting season has begun for the Great Blue Herons and this male was on a mission to find some nest material.
You can see from looking at the stick selection on the ground around him that he should have considered going a bit further from the nest.
He eventually found a small stick.
The route to his nest in the skinny tree was into the sun so this isn’t much of an image but gives you the idea of the action. And that the skinny tree is still standing.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
January 4, 2021
Dropping almost in slow-motion a Wood Stork flew in, holding that awkward looking position all the way down.
The center of the pond is choked with marsh grass and cattails beyond the canal.
Fortunately for me the Stork skipped the canal, and had his sights on an open area.
He joined in feeding before his wings were even folded.
In tight formation this Mallard pair was on their way.
They provided me with two background options as they flew the length of the pond.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
January 10, 2021
Lots of folks confuse these two water birds, it was interesting to see them side-by-side, watching one of each compete for the same space.
The immediate way to tell them apart is the Anhinga has a straight bill and the Cormorant’s is hooked.
The Anhinga won the first round of “King of the Hill.”
A few minutes later one of the Cormorants returned, showing off his feet as he looked to get closer to the stump.
An Ibis was on the scene, but had no interest in the competition.
Another view showing off the beak comparison.
