The sun had been up long enough that this Great Blue Heron might already have had his breakfast. The pond was teeming with fish so he certainly had opportunity.
I thought he might keep fishing but he decided to move along.
Although it was just one flap of his wings…
… and a gentle landing.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Repairs have restarted on the dike around the old rice field pond at Magnolia Plantation so the water level is low. This provides excellent feeding opportunities for a variety of birds, including Black Skimmers. I spent a couple of hours this morning being entertained.
The little fish scatter across the water as they try to avoid the hunter.
Got one!
Now the trick is to not drop it…
… and swallow it on the fly.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Same images in a gallery for testing: click on any image below to start slide show.
The White Ibis were very busy gathering sticks for their nests in early June.
There were easy pickings under some trees at the edge of the wetland.
Then it was just a short flight up over the boardwalk to the nesting island.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 5, 2026
A Roseate Spoonbill started what looked like a perfect landing in a palm tree.
Landing gear out…
…ready to nail the landing!
Something wasn’t to his liking at the top of the palm…
and almost immediately he went back the way he came.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
The male Great Blue Heron had just flown in with a stick which they placed at their feet.
They seemed indecisive about what to do next.
This nest isn’t going to build itself!
Finally he took off…
I waited at least twenty minutes hoping he’d return with more nesting material. The female did her part, keeping the spot occupied in case of interlopers.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 14, 2026
(Ted’s OM 100-400mm Lens)
There is nothing graceful about the way Tundra Swans splash down and they have a bit of a kerfuffle if another swan is in their landing path. In the end, no swans were hurt. This time.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Tricolored Herons are often erratic flyers, twisting and turning as the zip around the marsh edges. This one surprised me with a long, smooth flight like he had somewhere else to be.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Tundra Swans continue to return to South Carolina’s Bear Island Wildlife Management Area each winter. We photographed them this year for the first time since 2020 and were fortunate to go on day that was in the low 70s (21C).
Many of the Swans were towards the middle of Mary’s House Pond giving us a decent view as they moved around.
All that flapping and splashing gives a good audio cue that take off is about to happen.
This duo got further and further apart as they lifted off.
Repeating myself from a 2018 post, these swans can weigh up to 23 pounds (10 Kilos) so getting into the air takes a huge effort and considerable runway distance.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
I and several other folks walked underneath this Great Egret over the course of an hour.
In that hour the weather completely changed from a gorgeous blue sky morning to total overcast. Just as I was passing underneath after walking the dike, the Great Egret decided to go.
I wasn’t really prepared but took the shots anyway…
I was using my new OM System camera and wasn’t quick enough to zoom out to catch the entire bird.
Even so, I liked the detail on his feathers.
And when he got a bit further away he was fully in the frame.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 23, 2025
Driving across the dike into Donnelley WMA I heard several Red-headed Woodpeckers and finally spotted one.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 5, 2025
