Duck

Wood Ducks Are Back

October 17, 2019 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Yesterday was the first time I’ve seen more than two or three Wood Ducks together since last spring’s ducklings matured earlier in the summer.

Several were lined up on an Alligator ramp as I approached and a few small groups were paddling around in the pond. They tend to be skittish and their general direction was away from me, but a couple more flew onto the ramp.

I heard a Hawk call in the distance and these two groups and about twenty more that I didn’t even know were there in the tree line along my path flew off in a frenzy. Sadly, no photos of that!

Insects

Gulf Fritillary

October 16, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

It’s fall and the Gulf Fritillaries are flitting around in the beach dunes.

This one was mostly showing off his underside, which is intricately patterned and very different than the upper side.

September 24, 2019, Kiawah Beach Dunes

Reptiles

Lurking

October 16, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Alligators generally appear to be lurking everywhere I see them, it’s just their style. I liked the way the Spanish Moss was hanging down into the pond where this one was doing his thing.

Of course it’s better to see them lurking than not.

Wading Birds

Tricolored Heron

October 15, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Tricolored Herons seem to be around all the marsh areas I frequent this fall. I don’t remember that being the case other years.

Wading Birds

Little Blue Heron Pond Walk

October 15, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

This pond was dried out by management earlier this summer as work was done on the infrastructure. Now that the water has returned different vegetation is thriving.

A Little Blue Heron was poking his way along between some plants, some with pink flowers.

He had the place to himself and took his time; I didn’t see him catch any lunch.

Flowers

Tree Frog Photobomber

October 14, 2019 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

We had some rain last night which left a few water drops on flowers along the river bank at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

Regrettably I did not see the Tree Frog at the time.

Although if I had I probably would have 100 images, not just four or five of a flower I have photographed before.

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk, 2

October 14, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

I mentioned in a post yesterday that I hadn’t seen any Red-shouldered Hawks close up in months. I was delighted to see a second one in much better light just a half hour after that shot.

Birds

The Tormentor: Kingfisher

October 13, 2019 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Tormentor of this photographer, that is. I often see them at my favorite wildlife management area, but somehow they are always a few wing beats ahead.