Red-shouldered Hawk Pair

The Red-shouldered Hawks have become very active around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It’s hard to say how many, but I have spotted them hunting in multiple locations around the property.

This one was above the pond where the White Ibis Feeding, constantly watching for something to move.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

While I was watching the first bird, Ted and I realized were photographing different hawks. I zoomed out to 100mm, the minimum on my zoom lens to get them together, if not in great focus.

Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks

Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023

 

White Ibis Feeding

A few White Ibis were feeding at the edge of one of the small ponds at Magnolia Gardens.

White Ibis
White Ibis

Generally in constant motion while eating, this one paused for a photographic moment…

White Ibis
White Ibis

both a right and a left view.

White Ibis
White Ibis

They pulled all sorts of things out of the mud and swallowed them whole, sometimes with a snazzy flip.

White Ibis With His Catch
White Ibis With His Catch, Maybe a Crayfish

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023

A Bee, A Bug and a Flower

A single Morning Glory blossom was open along the causeway on a recent cold morning.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory
Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory

A Spotted Cucumber Beetle and a Bee worked it over, inside and out.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory
Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory

I don’t know if this beetle ate the holes in the flower or if something else already had a snack.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory
Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory

The beetle wasn’t one bit bothered being followed around.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory
Spotted Cucumber Beetle and Bee on Morning Glory

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Condensed from Wikipedia: Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the spotted cucumber beetle or southern corn rootworm, is a species of cucumber beetle that is native to North America. The species can be a major agricultural pest insect in North America, causing damage to crops in the larval and adult stages of their life cycle. These beetles consume over fifty different types of crops and wild plants, including corn, peanuts, beans, apples, cherries, clovers, lettuce, and potatoes.

Wanna Rumble? Part 3

It turned out to be more about something to do than possession of the branch for the Great Egret and he soon dropped into the water.

Great Egret
Great Egret

The Roseate Spoonbill settled in…

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

… had a stretch…

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

…worked one leg…

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

then the other…

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Wanna Rumble? Part 2

The Great Egret won this standoff, with the Roseate Spoonbill re-locating.

Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret

A quick maneuver…

Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret

…flaps up…

Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret

And the Roseate Spoonbill settled on the other side of the tree.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

While the Great Egret took the high point on the branch.

Great Egret
Great Egret

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Sunrise at Boneyard Beach

It’s an almost 1/2 mile (675 Meter) trek to the beach, most of it through an open marsh with this one dead tree standing at the edge of the walkway.

Sunrise, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area
Sunrise, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area

One small fishing boat cruised back and forth parallel to the beach.

Sunrise at Boneyard Beach, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area
Sunrise at Boneyard Beach, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area

Brown Pelicans and some terns and/or gulls were feeding.

Sunrise at Boneyard Beach, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area
Sunrise at Boneyard Beach, Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area

A few dolphin passed by, too, but alas no photo.

Brown Pelicans Flying at Sunrise
Brown Pelicans Flying at Sunrise

Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023