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
This fellow had a more muted color palette than other Reddish Egrets I’ve seen.
He did, however, have the Reddish Egret moves, dashing back and forth.
Wait for it, wings up to change the lighting…
splash, and
success!
Onward -you’ve got to do a lot of fishing when your catch is that small.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 10, 2025
I took a slew of photos of these White Ibis feeding last Friday. They kept going back and forth through sun lit patches, in and out of the vegetation, and were very entertaining.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 17, 2025
The late afternoon sun lit up this swampy area as a flock of White Ibis passed through, feeding as they went.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 17, 2025
I have often seen a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drill holes in a tree to release sap, or at least heard one doing it. They tend to be methodical, going round and round a tree limb. This was the first time I had watched one revisiting his drilled holes to feast on the flowing sap. A small joy of being in winter with no leaves on the trees to block such a view.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2024
I did not see the Little Blue Heron snag this frog but when he moved out into the water to rinse his catch off I was in the right spot.
First a dunk and a swirl…
…flip the frog over…
…a few squeezes to rearrange…
…and down it went.
…with one gulp.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 8, 2024
Roseate Spoonbills were feeding in the shallow water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA at the end of July.
Spoonbills use a lot of energy to feed as they are constantly in motion sifting the water for prey.
Groups often stick together, following the food the others stir up.
Sometimes they venture away from the group, allowing for a lovely portrait.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
A small flock of Wood Storks was feeding in the shallow water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA.
Another Stork dropped in…
…made a somewhat graceful landing…
…one more step…
…then immediately started to feed.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
In no particular hurry, this Wood Stork flew directly in front of me. He stayed at an angle I was able to follow him along as he crossed a variety of backgrounds.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
The water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA was still low when we returned on July 28 and the light was perfect for some reflection images.
These wading birds were in constant motion as the fed in the shallow water, the Wood Storks by feeling in the water with their beaks. The Tricolor Herons and Snowy Egrets watched the water patiently, waiting to strike with their bills.
Occasionally another bird would join the crowd.
This one made more of a flying hop.
The birds already feeding pay no attention to new comers.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
