Tag Archives: Bear Island Wildlife Management Area

Sunrise at Bear Island, Wider Views

A couple more pre-sunrise images of a marsh at Bear Island. I could tell the color wasn’t going to be much so worked on getting the dewy grass in the foreground.  While avoiding a giant ant hill.

Marsh Just Before Sunrise
Marsh Just Before Sunrise

The water was like glass, but there wasn’t much to reflect in it.

Marsh Just Before Sunrise
Marsh Just Before Sunrise

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 21, 2023

Sunrise at Bear Island

It was a cloudless morning so the sunrise wasn’t spectacular. Other than that the not to be taken for granted fact that sun rose another day. There was a nice orange glow for a few minutes.

An Alligator was out moving around early.

Alligator In Pre-sunrise Glow
Alligator In Pre-sunrise Glow

A Great Blue Heron announced his presence.

Great Blue Heron at Sun Up
Great Blue Heron at Sun Up

The same GBH passed a pair of Tricolored Herons going the other way.

Herons Up Early
Herons Up Early

Just before the sun topped the tree line the orange intensified.

Here Comes The Sun
Here Comes The Sun

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 21, 2023

Black Skimmers, Every Which Way

I hardly knew which way to look when this flock of Black Skimmers was actively feeding.

Black Skimmer Flock Feeding
Black Skimmer Flock Feeding,

The sun was just up, but behind a cloud bank so the light was dim.

Black Skimmer Flock Feeding
Black Skimmer Flock Feeding

This entire pond is normally under water, but was drained for a couple of weeks to help control vegetation.

Black Skimmer Flock Feeding
Black Skimmer Flock Feeding

This has a bonus effect for feeding birds as any fish are concentrated in a smaller pool of water.

Black Skimmer Flock Feeding
Black Skimmer Flock Feeding

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022

Black Skimmers, Standing Around

Black Skimmers look a bit awkward just standing around.

Black Skimmer Pair
Black Skimmer Pair

A lone Black-necked Stilt was sharing their resting space on the dried out pond.

Black-necked Stilt backed by Black Skimmer Pair
Black-necked Stilt backed by Black Skimmer Pair

This is a former rice field pond where the water was drained as a natural vegetation control. The hope is that unwanted grasses and other plants that eventually would choke the pond will die.

Black Skimmer Pair
Black Skimmer Pair

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022

Black Skimmers, Poor Light

The light was poor but the Black Skimmer action was outstanding.

Black Skimmers Feeding
Black Skimmers Feeding

The water had been allowed to drain from this pond for a few weeks as part of the vegetation overgrowth control efforts.

Black Skimmers Feeding
Black Skimmers Feeding

This left a very narrow strip of water where the fish were concentrated.

Black Skimmers Feeding
Black Skimmers Feeding

Some shore birds were feeding on the water’s edge and Black Skimmers were busy scooping up breakfast.

Black Skimmers Feeding
Black Skimmers Feeding

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022