Tag Archives: American Avocet

American Avocet Flyby

November 9, 2022 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

I was quite surprised to see two American Avocet flying by at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens last week. The big rice field pond has been drained in preparation for repairs and a controlled burn and all sorts of water birds have stopped by.

The Avocet are one of my favorite birds with their understated color scheme, graceful posture and elegant beak.

The pair looped around me twice but I didn’t get them in the same frame again.

And I didn’t see where they landed, or if they just continued on their way.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022

Water Birds

American Avocet, Blue Pond Reflections

February 26, 2022 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

After seeing Colorful Pond Reflections, another corner of the pond the water just reflected the blue sky. Not a bad look for this pair of American Avocets.

American Avocet in Pond with Reflections

They paraded back and forth…

…not in any hurry…

…occasionally probing the mud for a snack.

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 23, 2022

Water Birds

American Avocet, Colorful Pond Reflections

February 24, 2022 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Vegetation on the pond bank made a colorful reflection around a flock of American Avocets as they waded back and forth getting breakfast.

Interestingly, a Bald Eagle was perched in a pine tree on the bank.

I was expecting him to swoop down for his own breakfast, but he eventually flew off the other way.

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 23, 2022

Water Birds

American Avocet Pair

March 27, 2021 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

American Avocet are an attractive bird and their method of feeding with that upturned beak is fun to watch. Often they will go back and forth repeatedly in the same area.

American Avocet Pair, blurry photobombing Tree Swallow upper left

On this day they weren’t too interested in showing off themselves or their skills and soon disappeared behind this clump of grass.

Water Birds

American Avocet

February 20, 2021 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

American Avocet aren’t the only birds in these images, but I haven’t seen one in awhile so thought I’d give them top billing. And I really like them with their snazzy color scheme.

American Avocet, American White Pelican, Great Egret

I sure was hoping they would fly closer to my side of the pond.

American Avocet taking off, American White Pelican, Great Egret

Instead they disappeared on the other side of the marsh.

Water Birds

American Avocets

March 6, 2020 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

I had to peek between the tall reeds around the pond to get a limited view but it was still fun to watch these American Avocets feed.

Most of what they eat is very small so they have to spend a lot of time at it, methodically working back and forth.

These two made a striking sight across the pond, just standing around in the grass stubble.

Water Birds

American Avocet Group

February 25, 2020 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

A quartet of American Avocets worked their way back and forth in the shallow water, feeding as they went.

The early morning light was behind them creating reflections in the still water.

Avocets eat little bits of things they find probing in the mud, generally unidentifiable bits from the photographer’s vantagepoint.

Shore Birds

American Avocet Feeding

February 23, 2020 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The sun was up but had ducked behind a cloud that was low on the horizon, creating a milky light. The water was shallow and this American Avocet was among the birds taking advantage of the easy feeding.

Shore Birds

American Avocets

March 23, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

I watched a group of American Avocets milling around in a shallow pond, some wading and some flying in small hops following whatever they were feeding on.