Well, they really weren’t paying any attention to the passing Skimmer, but the Black-crowned Night-heron and Alligator add something to the images. It was shortly after sunrise and the light wasn’t yet reaching the water or the near side of the pond.
When the Skimmer lifted off the water to make a turn he was nicely lit.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Black-crowned Night-herons were nesting around Cypress Wetlands in their preferred denser nesting spots like this Bald Cypress tree. You can see one occupied nest up close to the tree trunk, and at least four other herons perched in the tree.
This heron was unsuccessfully trying to snap that attached twig for nesting material.
Others were tucked into quiet spots in thicker trees.
Black-crowned Night-herons have arrived at Magnolia: I saw at least twenty fly in, some singly and some in groups of three or four, and disperse into the trees. Previous years they have nested here and I’m hoping we’ll see that again.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026
I do like the elegant look of the Black-crowned Night-herons.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 10, 2025
This Black-crowned Night-heron was moving through some low tree branches, half walking – half flying.
There was a lot of nesting activity nearby, so I thought he might be looking for loose nest material.
He never made a selection while I was watching, finally deciding to take a break.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 10, 2025
It was a foggy start on December 30th at Donnelley WMA.
After the fog lifted a few Cormorants were still sitting in the Spoonie Tree and an Alligator was swimming by in the opposite direction. A Black-crowned Night-heron stayed tucked into the grass on the hummock.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024
This Black-crowned Night-heron was poking at the water, I don’t think he was actively hunting…
maybe getting a drink, or maybe just playing in the water.
It was hot, already over 85 degrees F (30 C) at 9am, and this is one of the few shaded sections of water around the Cypress Wetlands rookery.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
August 2, 2024
Back and forth, Black-crowned Night-herons were busy putting their nests together at the Cypress Wetlands rookery.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 5, 2024
Several Black-crowned Night-herons were perched in the trees at the end of the Cypress Wetlands rookery.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 13, 2024
Eight or ten Black-crowned Night-herons, maybe more, were swapping places in the trees that hang over the pond at Magnolia Cemetery.
The bigger view, including an airplane that was headed to Charleston International.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
January 31, 2024
