Tag Archives: Birds

Sandhill Crane Family On Walk

The Sandhill Crane family was on a walk when I passed by their marsh area.

Sandhill Crane Family On A Walk
Sandhill Crane Family On A Walk

The youngster, known as a colt because of their long legs, was curious about his surroundings but didn’t stray far from his parents. I didn’t see any sign that junior had started to fly, which happens around two months of age.

Sandhill Crane Juvenile
Sandhill Crane Colt

Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, poking around in the swamp and grasses for food.

Sandhill Crane Adult
Sandhill Crane Adult

The parents seemed to be more attentive than when I saw them two days before this.

Sandhill Crane Family On A Walk
Sandhill Crane Family On A Walk

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022

Black-necked Stilt Fly-by

A pair of Black-necked Stilts swooped on by me as I stood on a dike at Orlando Wetlands.

Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight
Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight

Often described as “stately” due to their color scheme and long legs, they are also elegant flyers.

Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight
Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight

And fly they did, right on to the other side of this impoundment.

Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight
Pair of Black-necked Stilts in Flight

April 10, 2022

Juvenile Sandhill Crane

A young Sandhill Crane was busy looking around in the grass as his parents were feeding in the marsh.

Juvenile Sandhill Crane
Juvenile Sandhill Crane

They weren’t far off, 20 or 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), and maybe paying more attention to him than it appeared.

Juvenile Sandhill Crane
Juvenile Sandhill Crane

As they went around the water’s edge he trailed along behind them, but I didn’t see him eat anything.

Juvenile Sandhill Crane
Juvenile Sandhill Crane

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 10, 2022

Great Egret, Nest Material

I saw this Great Egret land and expected him to get run off by the occupant of the nest about 8 feet (2 M) above him.

Great Egret
Great Egret

He poked around a bit, and was surprisingly ignored by the Great Egret in the nest.

Great Egret
Great Egret

Suddenly he swooped down to the water…

Great Egret Dropping To Water
Great Egret Dropping To Water

… and came up with a stick!

Great Egret Flying With Stick
Great Egret Flying With Stick

After circling around the tree he made a nice landing at the top, delivering the stick to his mate. Turns out he didn’t go far from home for this delivery of nesting material.

Great Egret Bringing Stick To Nest
Great Egret Bringing Stick To Nest

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 17, 2021

Nature’s Camoflage

Spotting wildlife is often about subtle contrasts and shapes. The subject’s movement sometimes helps. This Sapsucker flew onto the tree then froze in place.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Looking for the unexpected can help.

Tree Frog
Tree Frog

Some creatures hardly move, like the Tree Frog, and others, like this warbler, are in perpetual motion so it’s helpful to anticipate their next direction.

Black-and-white Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler

Great Egret Over Pond and Reptiles

A few Great Egrets were swooping over the pond as they vied for mates or nesting spots in the nearby trees.

Great Egret Flying Over Alligators, Turtles Great Egret Flying Over Alligators, Turtles

Some were gathering sticks for their nests but they were easily distracted when another Great Egret invaded their space.

Great Egret Flying Over Turtle Great Egret Flying Over Turtle

Occasionally I’ve seen a large Alligator snap at a bird flying overhead without making contact, but these smallish Alligators and turtles ignored the aerial displays going on above them.

Great Egret Flying Over Alligators, Turtles Great Egret Flying Over Alligator and Turtles