Patience
Pays Off
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Little Blue Heron Feeding
Tag Archives: Feeding
Snowy Egret and Grebes Feeding Together, 2
The Pied-billed Grebes and Snowy Egret kept moving along the edge of the pond, giving me better light on the water.
They continued back and forth for several minutes.
The Snowy Egret displayed a classic stalking move…
…then appeared to goose one of the Grebes.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Snowy Egret and Grebes Feeding Together
A small flock of Pied-billed Grebes, which feed underwater on small fish and invertebrates, were following a strutting Snowy Egret.
The water was pretty shallow but it didn’t stop the Grebes from diving in the Snowy Egret’s wake.
The Snowy Egret was quick to take advantage of the prey the Grebes were stirring up.
As usual, the Snowy did like to be the leader of the pack.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Red-shouldered Hawk Looking For A Meal
I noticed this well camouflaged Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tangle of crepe myrtle branches. Then I realized it was the flitting of the Mocking Bird that had caught my eye.
The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.
It was late afternoon and I thought maybe the hawk wasn’t in feeding mode, but then he dropped to the ground. He immediately mantled over some prey, covering it from other potential predators.
That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.
The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022
Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.
Glossy Ibis
This pond is shallow, coming and going with the rain.
Wading birds are quick to explore any pool of water that is at their preferred depth.
A few Glossy Ibis were weaving around the mangrove roots probing for lunch.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 11, 2022
Willet On The Hunt
A lone Willet was patrolling a small sandbar
Gentle waves were churning up possible snacks.
Success!
Let’s wade in a little deeper.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
April 11, 2022
Tricolored Heron Showing How It Is Done: Fishing on the Fly
This wooden trunk is the conduit for the canal water under the road between some old rice field impoundments, not far from where Snowy Egret Fishing on the Fly
Just before I took this series the Tricolored Heron nabbed a fish then landed back on the trunk support.
I waited, and waited then finally!
All that skittering on the water surface is from fish trying not to be lunch.
Unfortunately he flew close to the canal edge and I couldn’t get out far enough to keep the grass from interfering with my shot.
This time the heron kept flying down the canal with his catch.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
Snowy Egret Fishing on the Fly
This canal runs along side an old rice field impoundment and on this morning it was hopping with little fish.
A Snowy Egret was showing off how to catch breakfast while keeping your wings dry.
They swallow as they go so it’s hard to say if he was successful.
Let’s try this again…
Drag your toes in the water… then a face plant…
Then liftoff!
The Alligator was just a bonus.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
Feeding Pool: Snowy Egret Dancing on Water, Another Set
Aerobatic skill, a la Snowy Egret. These are from January…not much I can say about them but it sure was fun to watch.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
January 31, 2022
Roseate Spoonbill, Low Tide Mud
This single Roseate Spoonbill was wading in the mud of a tidal creek.
The tide had actually made the turn and at this point the water was only shifting around a little.
Spoonbills have a very narrow range of water depth where they can feed, having to do with their rather awkward anatomy.
This spot seemed to be just right
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 31, 2022