The Red-shouldered Hawk on the upper branch from my previous post flew down the pond as we watched but the lower one stayed put. I moved down the path to get him lined up with a very seasonal looking background.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
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.
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.
Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
A few White Ibis were feeding at the edge of one of the small ponds at Magnolia Gardens.
Generally in constant motion while eating, this one paused for a photographic moment…
both a right and a left view.
They pulled all sorts of things out of the mud and swallowed them whole, sometimes with a snazzy flip.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
A single Morning Glory blossom was open along the causeway on a recent cold morning.
A Spotted Cucumber Beetle and a Bee worked it over, inside and out.
I don’t know if this beetle ate the holes in the flower or if something else already had a snack.
The beetle wasn’t one bit bothered being followed around.
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.
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.
The Roseate Spoonbill settled in…
… had a stretch…
…worked one leg…
then the other…
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023
The Great Egret won this standoff, with the Roseate Spoonbill re-locating.
A quick maneuver…
…flaps up…
And the Roseate Spoonbill settled on the other side of the tree.
While the Great Egret took the high point on the branch.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023
I try not to anthropomorphize when watching bird behavior, but this scene unfolding in the Spoonie tree sure made me think of a territory rumble.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023
This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker surprised me as I was walking along under some Live Oak trees.
There he was with a sun beam right on him, not the usual bird tucked behind a dark branch.
Then he was gone.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 5, 2023
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
October 30, 2023
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.
One small fishing boat cruised back and forth parallel to the beach.
Brown Pelicans and some terns and/or gulls were feeding.
A few dolphin passed by, too, but alas no photo.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
