Blue-winged Teal were among the ducks sheltering in the old rice field ponds on Cat Island.
A number of patrolling Bald Eagles sent groups of ducks into the air over the hour or so we were in the area.
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, SC
November 22, 2022
We spent the night at an ocean front hotel on Pawleys Island to be closer to the starting point of our Tuesday adventure at Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center. While enjoying coffee on the balcony and hoping for sunrise images a Snow Goose flew by. Surprise!
Later that morning at Tom Yawkey a flock of at least eight Snow Geese flew by.
The flock formed a V and disappeared.
Human access to the barrier islands that make up the Tom Yawkey property is limited, making it an excellent stopover and wintering ground for many migratory birds.
November 22, 2022
Daddy Long Legs spiders were climbing all over this small clump of spotted beebalm.
The dappled sun was warming after a cool start and prey possibilities including smaller insects may have become active, too.
I have no idea what this one is doing; I wondered if it was laying eggs but all information I’ve found says they lay their eggs in dirt.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
Monarda punctata
Spotted Beebalm, Spotted Horsemint, Horsemint
A few Monarchs were interspersed with the Gulf Fritillaries on the Wildflowers.
The Monarchs were more skittish and didn’t stay out in the open for long.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
A number of Gulf Fritillary butterflies were feeding in a stand of wildflowers at the edge of a field on a sunny October day.
Some were in perfect physical condition.
Others were exhibiting signs of some challenges.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
A flock of Roseate Spoonbills was perched in a tree flanked by fall foliage.
As the tide dropped they flew over to one of the canals, still not interested in any closeup photo ops, but interesting to see what they were up to.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 4, 2022
Great Blue Heron hunkered down
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
November 4, 2022
