A small flock of Roseate Spoonbills took off from the rice field impoundment and headed towards a distant pond.
There didn’t seem to be any great alarm in their going and I hoped in vain they would circle back.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 28, 2019
Ducks have been showing up around the various ponds I frequent and I was hoping for some decent in-flight views. The ducks had other ideas this day and kept their flight patterns close to the marsh grass.
A Great Blue Heron was a little more obliging as he winged past me.
One of the Gulls I was watching in post Gull Ballet successfully nabbed a snack from the water.
In no time a second Gull was in hot pursuit.
The first Gull picked up speed.
As they flew off he still had possession, probably trying to swallow it as they went.
The noise of a flock of birds reached my brain as I was concentrating on some Willets in the beach surf. Ah, Skimmers!
I diverted my attention and dropped down to my knees, hoping the flock would show off their skimming skills right in front of me.
Alas, they had other ideas.
And soon disappeared from my sight.
The sun was up but it was a hazy. A Great Blue Heron passed by with a few squawks, putting out his landing gear.
He scored a nice landing.
He only stayed a moment, perhaps rethinking being out in the open. Two Bald Eagles were patrolling the skies, and while the Great Blue would be an unlikely target they are keenly aware of the predators.
Tormentor of this photographer, that is. I often see them at my favorite wildlife management area, but somehow they are always a few wing beats ahead.
I get closer, and just as the the camera is halfway up, zoom…
And sometimes they aren’t Kingfishers at all.
After watching a Bald Eagle pair sit quietly in a tree for more than a half hour a photographer friend I was with said “you know as soon as we leave …”
And he was right.
Bald Eagle Flying OffI was fortunate to still have a clear view, if not the best focus.
Bald Eagle Flying OffFeet tucked up for flight, away he went.
Bald Eagle Flying OffShortly after I took the image in my post “Bald Eagle Calling His Mate” I spotted another Eagle flying into the tree line.
By this time the first Eagle had also moved and I’m not sure which one was which. When you’re watching nature unfold through a lens sometimes you miss part, or all, of the action!
This flying Eagle landed in the lower position of the tree and they both settled in.
From this vantage point they can see up and down the Ashley River, the action on several small ponds on this property, and into a marsh on the other side of the river.
And look they do, both turning their heads regularly, but overall content to perch right there.
A Great Blue Heron was crossing back and forth over a pond, low over the water.
Finally, touch down!
Perhaps it was a bit deeper than he expected.
But not so deep his toes couldn’t touch.
Brown Pelicans are fascinating to watch in flight, so graceful yet so prehistoric looking.
I thought this one was going to land and try to catch a fish. He dropped his feet.
But then he tucked them in as he glided over a school of jumping fish.
Fooled me again.
Brown Pelicans eat by either diving into the water and scooping food into their beak/pouch or sometimes by bobbing on the water and snatching up a fish, not by picking it up with their feet–I’m not sure what he was up to here.
Then it was landing gear up and away he went down the river, no lunch.
