Sometimes the nesting birds fly closer than I expect. I cut his wing off but still liked the image.
This paved path runs the length of Ravenswood Pond, home of the Skinny Tree, that I was watching when this GBH flew in. There is a lot of loose tree debris that is easy pickings and it’s just a few wing flaps back to the nest.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
I was delighted to see so many Roseate Spoonbills on our January trip to Florida.
These are such fascinating birds, both in their look and behaviors.
And I can’t resist taking pictures of them in flight…
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
There are almost always a Belted Kingfisher or two swooping around the ponds at Donnelley WMA. This morning I thought I was going to get a real close up of one on a rice field trunk. Ha!
Before I could even get my camera to eye level she was gone.
I did track her across the pond.
Where she landed on the Spoonie Tree…way to far for a good shot, but she did stop moving!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
I photographed a few passes of this Belted Kingfisher including this set as he swooped along a marsh inlet.
She had sounded the characteristic Kingfisher chatter just before taking flight or I probably would have missed her.
She is identifiable as a female by the brown stripe on her chest that males lack.
Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022
Botany Bay Wildlife Area, Edisto, SC
December 3, 2022
A Great Blue Heron appeared to be on look out duty.
Then he took off with a slow, graceful drop down into the pond.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2022
Continued from American White Pelicans in Flight
Some of the American White Pelicans flew closer to me as the others circled around.
Both Sexes (From All About Birds)
Length: 50.0-65.0 in (127-165 cm)
Weight: 158.7-317.5 oz (4500-9000 g) — that’s 10 to 15 pounds!!
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, SC
Visitation is by guided tour only, managed by SC Department of Natural Resources
November 22, 2022
A large number of American White Pelicans were feeding in the old rice field ponds at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center on Tuesday. They took off in small groups, circled around and resettled a bit further away from us.
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, SC
Visitation is by guided tour only, managed by SC Department of Natural Resources
November 22, 2022
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
