His awkwardness gave the Carolina Wren away as a young ‘un.
His feet seemed a bit big for his body but boy could he sing like a seasoned pro.
Oops, leaned a bit too far.
Juvenile Carolina Wren
Yellow-crowned Night-heron Straight On
A Yellow-crowned Night-heron looking right back at me.
Calla Lily
A single sun lit Calla Lily bloom with the Long White Bridge in the background.
Wood Duck Family With Turtle
Alligator ramps around the pond provide a fairly safe and dry spot for the Wood Duck ducklings to dry off and preen.
The Yellow-bellied Slider seemed oblivious to their occupation of his sunny spot.
Mama Wood Duck stayed in the water, patrolling for safety. Other times I have observed this there has been a Wood Duck drake nearby, also on alert, but I did not see one this time.
Peacock Showoff
A Peacock was showing off his finery, turning round and bowing on a small patch of grass, never quite stepping out into the sun.
Lily Assortment
I’ve seen various lilies showing off around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens this past week.
I don’t recall seeing this color arrangement before with alternating petals, but it sure is attractive.
This white lily had near perfect form, if messy pollen.
Male Painted Bunting Overhead
A Painted Bunting entertained us with a cheery song from a perch above our heads on Friday. These are not great images but the bird’s colors are pretty amazing.
If he was trying to attract a mate there weren’t any takers and after about five minutes he went on his way.
For a better look at a Bunting’s colors see my post from a couple weeks ago: Male Painted Bunting, Two Views
Great Egret, Precarious Nest Position
The Great Egrets have chosen some different spots to nest this year, including this one that I can almost touch from the nature trail. I saw two eggs a few days before I took these images.
Viability of any chicks is at risk from alligator raiding, hawks, and the likely probability of human intervention.
S/he does have a wonderful view of the pond. Although I’m not sure they notice, there is also some entertainment in the skinny tree off to her left with a GBH nest and at least one Anhinga nest.
Back-lit by the setting sun, the Egret was firmly in place when I walked back past the nest.
Northern Parula Overhead
The flash of yellow let me know this might be a Northern Parula as he flitted in the Spanish Moss above my head. Yes, it was.
I stood still and he finally paused for just a moment before zipping down the trail.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
May 15, 2020
Quiet Pond Scene
At first glance the fallen palm frond at the edge of the pond looked like a giant eye looking back at me. Even so it’s a peaceful scene.
