I thought the Alligator on the left might join the pile while I watched, but he seemed content to float. The Yellow-bellied Slider and Alligators piled up were content with their spots, too.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 25, 2025
It was a foggy start on December 30th at Donnelley WMA.
After the fog lifted a few Cormorants were still sitting in the Spoonie Tree and an Alligator was swimming by in the opposite direction. A Black-crowned Night-heron stayed tucked into the grass on the hummock.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024
Late yesterday afternoon a single alligator was occupying this favorite spot at the Long White Bridge pond. It was oddly warm, in the 70s (low 20s C), for the beginning of winter.
About an hour later I passed by again to find the Alligator had slid much of his body down into the water but hadn’t yet given up the spot.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 28, 2024
There was lots of Alligator activity this week, despite the cooler temperatures. I counted seven Alligators floating in the pond behind the long white bridge at Magnolia.
This one treated me to a slow paddle across a colorful reflection.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 27, 2024
The water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA was still low when we returned on July 28 and the light was perfect for some reflection images.
These wading birds were in constant motion as the fed in the shallow water, the Wood Storks by feeling in the water with their beaks. The Tricolor Herons and Snowy Egrets watched the water patiently, waiting to strike with their bills.
Occasionally another bird would join the crowd.
This one made more of a flying hop.
The birds already feeding pay no attention to new comers.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
The “Spoonie Tree” continues to decline, and in July the water was lowered in the pond exposing its roots. For several years I have thought that this will be the year that this tree finally topples, but there it stands. The first picture I can find that I took of the tree, from October 2017, the tree was far from healthy, but still living.
On this hot July day the alligators were out in force, mostly just floating around mid-day when we stopped by.
There was a Belted Kingfisher perched atop the tree, while all the wading birds stayed to the back of the pond as seen above.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 21, 2024
The water was lowered last week in the big pond at Donnelley WMA. Many wading birds including these Tricolored Herons have gathered around. They and the local alligators are taking advantage of the abundant food supply concentrated in a smaller volume of water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 26, 2024
and just a little mud! This pond had recently been drained but retained enough water to be a mud bath.
Alligators don’t usually lay in such mud, preferring drier land or to be submerged. He walked / plodded deliberatly to this spot…
..where he found a crab and which he worked out of the mud.
Then he immediately made his way back the way he came.
A nearby Tri-colored Heron decided to move a bit further away.
The Alligator slid into a pool of water and stayed submerged for the several minutes I stayed there watching.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 17, 2024
I watched this Alligator slowly swim along the edge of the pond hoping he would somehow line up with the reflection of the Star Hibiscus.
And he did!
He hardly made a ripple and the reflection stayed intact.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 19, 2024
I saw the Alligator come out of the pond to the left and plomp down.
I was rethinking my destination when he got up, sauntered over the walkway,
…slid into the water and swam away.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 12, 2024
