Wordless Wednesday: Nature Making a Knot
Tag Archives: Fall
Marsh Scene
The Spoonie Tree was a gathering spot, both above and below on this late November day:
Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron, Alligators
Donnelley Wildlife Managment Area, SC
November 27, 2021
Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest
Another view of a Great Blue Heron staking out a nest site, back in November before the leaves and color dropped from the background trees.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 17, 2021
Snowy Egret Flyby, Fall Colors
November 14, 2021
American White Pelicans Six-pack Flying By
A dramatic sky and lingering fall color in the trees made a nice backdrop when this flock of American White Pelicans flew by.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021
Ravenswood Pond, October Morning
The sun had been up about an hour when I reached Ravenswood Pond on this October morning. There wasn’t any bird activity; the pond was choked with vegetation, so the reflections I hoped for were not to be had, either.
There were some rising tendrils of pond smoke.
There is an Anhinga drying his wings at the top of the Skinny Tree, but he blends right in.
Ravenswood Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021
Silent Sunday: Swamp Sunflower Pair
Taken October 12, 2021
Magnolia Cemetery Pond: Water Out
I like Magnolia Cemetery mostly for the birds that gather there. On this early December visit I was surprised to find the water was out of the pond where I was hoping to see some ducks. Normally the water is a foot or more deep at this edge.
On doing research for this post I discovered the body of water is referred to as a lagoon not a pond; there is this “big lagoon” and a “small lagoon” on the back side near the Smith Pyramid. I’ve read about those stairs leading down to a grassy area where picnicking took place back in the 1800s, which seems odd now but was all the rage at the time.
From the other end of the pond, looking towards Meeting Street, signs of expanding Charleston are evident. I don’t often post images with power lines, but this time they felt like part of the story. Bird watching at the cemetery you feel like you are in the country, but that just isn’t so.
Unfortunately, the bridge has been closed since last summer due to dangerous rotting of the decking. The last time I walked over it I wondered why it hadn’t been closed.
On the marsh end of the pond/lagoon there is a different type of water control trunk than those I am used to seeing in the rice fields.
This one is mostly brick or some kind of masonry with a metal plate cover and hoisting system. A few White Ibis were attracted to the shallow water for easy feeding.
The marsh on the other side of the dike is tidal, leading out to the Cooper River. With the trunk left open water will come and go in the pond with the tide. I’m not sure why they are leaving it open; I was there a few days ago and it was either open again or still open.
My post School’s Out  of jumping fish was taken on the marsh side of this dike, with the tide high. The last image shows the top of the brick arrangement on that side.
The building to the right is an old receiving tomb; Ted has taken some moody images of it which you can see at https://tpjphoto.net/
My trend lately has been less text with my posts; I think today is an anomaly, not a new direction.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 3, 2021
Pond Reflections
Female Anhinga In An Oak Tree
This Oak Tree was nearly bare, giving me a good view of a Female Anhinga and a bit of color from the few remaining leaves.
Can you do this with your neck?
Easy stuff for the very flexible Anhinga.
