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.
Great Blue Heron Splashy Landing
Tag Archives: Birds in Flight
Brown Pelican Showing Off His Feet
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.
Skimmers at the Beach
A flock of mostly Black Skimmers with a few terns, gulls and Oyster Catchers mixed in were occupying a sand bar at the edge of the ocean near where the Kiawah River runs into the Atlantic.
As I’ve seen before some signal is received by the birds and they all take off and relocate at once.
This was just past low tide and their real estate was shrinking quickly with the incoming tide. They settled down on the next available spot, dislocating a few pipers.
The terns were more inclined to stay put, not minding the surf lapping at their legs.
Beachwalker Park, Kiawah, SC 9/24/2019
American Oystercatcher Flying Over Surf
This American Oystercatcher had been standing in the surf. He got a running start then smoothly took off with one full beat of his wings.
It was just after dawn and he was flying directly into the sun, which I think must not affect birds’ eyes the way it does mine.
The incoming tide created a nice series of waves behind the bird.
He let out a squawk for good measure before he disappeared down the beach.
American Oystercatchers Low Over Surf
Low over the incoming surf a pair of American Oystercatchers flew down the beach.
Botany Bay Island, SC, August 4, 2019
Grand Water Approach: Brown Pelican
A Brown Pelican lowered his feet, opened his wings wide, and slid into the water — it still amazes me no mater how many times I’ve seen it.
Toe Dragging Landing
This wasn’t a full flight, just a short hop across shallow water that was draining as the tide went out.
Maybe that’s why this young Great Blue Heron didn’t bother with much lift and then dragged his toes on his landing.
Great Egret Not Going to Share Lunch
This Great Egret worked hard in the reeds to capture a Siren, a weird eel-like salamander that hangs out in the mud, and flew to a secluded corner of the pond to figure out how to eat it. He dropped and retrieved it several times.
A Great Blue Heron had been following along, slowly getting closer until the Great Egret decided to relocate, taking lunch with him.
Covered with mud, the Great Egret took this opportunity to dunk and rinse his catch.
He took off again as the Great Blue maneuvered closer.
The Great Blue Heron took off, too. They went out of my sight so I don’t know who got to eat.
American Oystercatchers Flying In
- American Oystercatchers tend to announce themselves in flight with a high pitched call which is good for the photographer wanting to capture flying action.
Just after the sun came up on Sunday I heard these two coming and fortunately for me they were flying towards the sun.
They flew out over the ocean, past part of the dead tree “boneyard” before touching down in the surf.
Click on any image for a larger view.
Green Heron Flight Silhouette
I saw a few Green Herons fly into a tree just off the canal where I was walking and I guess they saw me, too.
It was early and there wasn’t much light, but the classic Green Heron head crest was clearly outlined.
