The receding tide trapped this small fish in the sand swales.
He didn’t stand much of a chance once the Ruddy Turnstone spotted him.
But he sure gave it his all, flopping across the water trying to escape.
After a couple of misses, the Turnstone had his lunch.
And then ran off with it as some other shore birds became aware of his catch.
Port Charles, VA
October 23, 2025
This scene unfolded on the back side of Lodge Pond where a pool of water formed as the pond drained.
Wading birds follow the food, and they are not bothered by the presence of Alligators.
Although maybe the Snowy Egret center front should have been.
The Alligators were actually chewing on whatever they found in the water but I have seen them snap at and catch a bird.
All good for the Snowy, this time!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Sometimes birds just make me laugh.
Usually it is the Snowy Egrets with comical behavior but this time a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding away from the bigger group and seemed to have something to say.
Then he took a short-hop flight over the Snowy Egret.
Landed with more drama…
…then took a walk.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Back and forth, following the food, and each other, a group of Roseate Spoonbills was feeding up against a hummock in Lodge Pond.
A few Wood Storks were at the edge of the group, sticking to the shadows.
Then, following a leader on some secret signal, all the Spoonbills walked onto the exposed grass…
…and crossed to the open water on the other side…
…paying no attention to the alligators.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Some days there are no birds in view; some days are like this!
We were here August 21, the water was high, and we saw a total of six birds.
Yesterday (September 1) the water had been let out of Lodge Pond leaving these streams with a concentrated food source for wading birds that feel for their prey.
There were hundreds of Wood Storks, at least fifty Roseate Spoonbills, and a sprinkling of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets taking advantage of the easy eating.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
A Roseate Spoonbill worked his way along the pond while a Tricolored Heron hardly moved on a lovely day last autumn.
These smaller herons often hang around other wading birds, waiting for prey to be stirred up in the water.
Spoonbills eat very tiny crustaceans and who knows what that their bills sweep by in the water.
Occasionally they catch something that requires more of a toss to swallow it:
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 10, 2024
It’s not a stretch to think there were all sorts of treasures hidden in the vegetation on this rotting log floating just off the boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands.
The Boat-tailed Grackle pulled …
and yanked…
…and dragged whatever he could latch onto.
However, he didn’t appear to find anything good.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Once the Pied-bill Grebe was on his own with the crayfish he did a slow paddle…
… with his lunch just dangling.
Then he dunked it…
…maybe rinsing it
then it was down the hatch!
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe seemed keenly aware of the two Coots when he surfaced with a large crayfish.
He kept circling away from them…
…and finally turned up the pedal power and swooshed away from them.
He bobbed back to the surface, continuing to swim while he hung on tight to his lunch.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
The light made this pond appear a shade of blue that matched the Little Blue Heron that was patiently hunting.
Little Blues make very precise water strikes when they fish, making a delicate splash.
And a water ripples.
No luck that time, back to patiently watching.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10, 2025
