A White Ibis swallowing a crawfish he pulled from the bottom of a small pond.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 21, 2023
White Ibis Getting Lunch
Tag Archives: Feeding
Juvenile White Ibis With A Meal
I happened upon a Juvenile White Ibis that had just found a snack, some kind of crayfish from the look.
That was good, let’s find another.
He paced around,
poked and prodded into the muck,
and came up empty.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 18, 2023
Ballet Over Water: Great Egret
I only know from watching a successful try at this hovering maneuver that this Great Egret’s intention was to catch a fish.
Nothing caught his eye on this pass and he never touched the water. After about a four second hover he flew to a tree.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
Great Egret With Fish
I didn’t see this Great Egret drop into the water on this trip. And it sure is tough to see how he knew the fish was there in all that duck weed.
I’d watched him make some unsuccessful passes just touching his feet to the water, but this trip was a winner!
Back to his starting point he went…
…a nice graceful landing onto the unoccupied ramp.
He stood there holding the fish for a minute or so before he swallowed it.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 23, 2023
Hooded Merganser with Snack
A big snack!
Some kind of a tadpole from the shape and way bigger than the duck’s mouth.
So big she took it for a ride before trying to swallow it, and slapped it in the water a couple of times.
Two other Mergansers that were following along so she changed course. Shortly after this image she swallowed it.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
February 27, 2023
Tricolored Heron Feeding, Reflections
Another series from yesterday’s grey experience, a Tricolored Heron feeding in the same shallow pond as the Avocet.
Incredible patience…
The pounce…
And it paid off!
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 19, 2023
American Avocet, Reflections
It was grey this morning so the shallow pond water was grey. Some days that’s what you get.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 19, 2023
Reddish Egret, End of Day Feeding
We arrived at Black Point Wildlife Drive about 45 minutes before sundown. The light was quite elegant on this feeding Reddish Egret.
The swirl in the water shows how quickly these wading birds change direction, darting back and forth.
And, how very little their prey is.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 16, 2023
Another Great Blue Heron Getting Lunch
Actually just a snack or appetizer for this one.
And with lots of patience–I was about to move on when finally…
he pounced!
Look close, yes he had success.
Then carried it to shore before swallowing, taking no risk of losing it back in the green depths.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 9, 2023
Tricolored Heron On The Hunt
Tricolored Herons are much more animated and cover more territory while feeding than most of their relatives.
Rather than standing patiently and waiting, their strategy is to weave back and forth in knee deep water.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2022