Space was tight to stand on the bank of the canal and catch the Great Blue Heron flying in so I didn’t get his whole body.
He landed back on his little island and had a fluff up before going back to fishing.
Great Blue Heron
Personal Island for Great Blue Heron
On his own island paradise, complete with snacks, a Great Blue Heron was drifting down the canal at the edge of the old rice fields.
The shrimp were to his liking.
The island clump was moving just fast enough to make me dizzy looking through the view finder.
The Heron paced back and forth a few times and settled on some smaller catches, barely seen hanging from his mouth here.
He left paradise as it rounded a turn, but the fishing must have been good off its shores as he returned just a few minutes later.
Wood Ducks
A few Wood Ducks were hanging out on an alligator ramp in the old rice field pond. Everyone was happy until a hawk flew over and one by one they slid into the water and paddled to the far shore and relative safety of the reeds.
This one lone duck didn’t seem to get the message and stood her ground on a lump of debris.
These photos were taken two weeks before Hurricane Irma swept through South Carolina last week. I passed this spot yesterday and the duck weed blew into the pond corners and many of the reed islands are re-arranged.
Splish Splash
It’s always a surprise to see a wading bird in the water with their body in. This Little Blue Heron was taking a prolonged bath in water that was a bit murky.
He stood in one spot having a soak for at least ten minutes. I’m not sure if those bubbles were from his splashing that I missed or something else was in the water.
Then the action started:
Bathing can be hard on your coiffure.
Finally hopping out of the water for a big shake.
And another:
Then a peaceful rest at the edge of his personal bath tub.
More of the Orb-Weaver Spider
I took this series of photos of the Orb-Weaver Spider just before the single shot that I posted on August 23.
Seen at rest most of the time, these spiders can move with speed when lunch is involved, which is what caught my eye.
The web threads change color with the light, but this day they also had a yellowish coating that may have been pollen. It had just rained and there were a lot of wild flowers growing along the boardwalk.
Hanging on to her web from her hind legs she used the other legs to manipulate her catch. Other ensnared insects appeared to float in front of the web.
At one point she was dangling.
For reference, the entire web was about 3 feet across and that dangling fly was the size of a common house fly.
Stop and Smell…
Stop and smell… the Gardenias.
This single blossom was partly hidden at the side of the swamp trail. I’ll be sure to watch for future blooms and possibly seed pods as the season progresses.
And yes, it smelled delightful.
Common Gallinule Chicks
The Common Gallinules have reproduced much later in the summer than the other water birds in this area. Through the end of August we spotted a few families around the rice ponds and marsh areas.
Awkward, like most young, these chicks are covered with fuzz which picked up the duck weed, making them look even sillier. Members of the Rallidae family, they do swim even though their feet are not webbed and I usually see them just floating or wading.
One of the adults came closer when the chicks ventured into the deeper water to supervise.
At least one juvenile Alligator was nearby and while I don’t think they can catch or eat even the small Gallinule chicks, I’m sure mom wasn’t far away.
Hairy Woodpeckers
On a recent trip to Maine a family of Hairy Woodpeckers entertained me as they investigated this tree. The tree wasn’t too healthy looking but the lack of full boughs and the lichen made for good woodpecker props.
I couldn’t resist photographing them even though the tree was very tall, the birds were in the higher reaches and I had left my long lens at home.
Click either photo for larger view.
Powdery Alligator-flag and Friend
I spotted what I now know is a frond of Powdery Alligator-flag (Thalia dealbata) on a walk around the swamp last week. I took a few photographs because of the interesting color and texture. If I had seen the green insect at the time, possibly a member of the katydid family, I would have maneuvered closer for some additional shots.
I had revisited this plant after my May post with a visiting bee and continued to find it unremarkable throughout the summer. Evidently insects find it more attractive.
Orb-Weaver Spider Weaving Lunch
Quite a few of the Orb-Weaver Spiders have built their webs at an angle to the board walk headed to the swamp making side view photographs a possibility. It was fascinating to watch this one pluck a fly or bee from the web and then what seemed to be wrapping it in silk.
There were some other insects dangling from similar wrappings nearby. These spiders seem much larger than last summer’s crop, but that may be my imagination, or Ted’s, playing tricks on me.
