The mated pair of Great Blue Herons that is nesting on the skinny tree swapped egg protection duties shortly after sunrise.




Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
The mated pair of Great Blue Herons that is nesting on the skinny tree swapped egg protection duties shortly after sunrise.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
I’ve been on this corner at the back of the old rice field when the Nature Train was passing and heard the tour guide point out this Redwood Tree as they pass.
They either didn’t say, or I’ve never paid enough attention, why this single Redwood happens to be right here.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
The view across the big field of the Plantation House. Previous visitors to this location may notice that the hedge to the right of the house and the English boxed garden in front of the house have been removed.
Another view taken a few days later, on a grey afternoon, image cooked up just a bit.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 11 & 13, 2023
It took me awhile to spot this Red-bellied Woodpecker after listening to the rat-a-tat for several minutes.
He was working very high up in a dead pine tree on what I presume will be a nesting cavity.
All in, the pecking continued.
He took a few pauses and you can see there are several other holes.
I tried for a different angle, and this isn’t a great image of the bird but it shows off more of the well-used tree.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 11, 2023
From a distance I thought these white blossoms were dogwood.
As much as I like dogwood, I was happily surprised as I got closer to find that it was a Tung Oil tree.
How could you not love these gorgeous blossoms? Although some of the shine came off when I discovered it is non-native and invasive in the gulf coast states where it was grown as a cash crop in the early 1900s.
These blossoms will produce fruits with seeds that are the source of tung oil (tungoil). The oil is used for manufacturing varnishes and paints, and as a waterproofing agent for linoleum and oilcloth. Unfortunately, all parts of the plant are toxic to livestock and humans.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 12, 2023