I hardly knew which way to look when this flock of Black Skimmers was actively feeding.
The sun was just up, but behind a cloud bank so the light was dim.
This entire pond is normally under water, but was drained for a couple of weeks to help control vegetation.
This has a bonus effect for feeding birds as any fish are concentrated in a smaller pool of water.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
Snowy Egret show off.
You’ve heard “no one likes a show-off” … I’m not sure that’s true when it comes to nature.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
We were surprised to find American White Pelicans at Donnelley on May 15, thinking they had long flown north for the summer.
A dozen or so were around the pond and a few paddled closer, occasionally feeding but mostly just bobbing around.
An Alligator paddled by, too; they ignored him.
A wider view with the Pelicans moving towards the back of the pond.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
In early May I went on a combo boat – hiking trip with fifteen enthusiastic adventurers into the Congaree National Park, about 18 miles southeast of Columbia, the SC state capital.
After traveling up the winding Congaree River from the Bates Bridge Landing we went into the forest to see some amazingly large, and old, trees.
Very big trees!
Photography in the forest that shows the relative size is hampered by–the forest.
We ate our lunch with a couple of the biggest, including this one.
Much of the forest floor was muddy, and slippery. And yes I fell. Holding my camera high
From the park website (nps.gov/cong/index.htm)
Congaree National Park has the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States
May 4, 2022
A Common Gallinule chick exploring on his own
May 9, 2022
Seeing Dolphins never gets old…
There was an exceptionally high tide that morning, allowing Dolphin to explore beyond their normal range.
These Dolphin would have traveled more than ten miles from St. Helena Sound to reach this point. Follow all the twists and turns along the yellow line I’ve drawn:
This spot is a dead end for their travels.
The pair swirled around in this pool a few times then disappeared back the way the came.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Now what turned into some beak clacking.
Size isn’t everything, but sometimes it helps.
Finally the Tricolored Heron made a full body move…
…pushing the Snowy Egret off his perch.
The Tricolored Heron got tangled up in the palm fronds for a few seconds, but not apparent damage.
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Graveyard at Unitarian Church, Charleston, SC
April 27, 2022
Along the Okefenokee Roadside Canal shown in a recent post, a number of these pink orchids were blooming in April.
They share space with ferns, thistle, and a number of grasses on the slope of the canal.
Pink WildflowerOkefenokee Swamp
April 14, 2022
April 14, 2022
