This was my first time seeing White Ibis chicks. This pair were getting fed, with the adult regurgitating food for them.
As they mature the chicks will lose the stripe on their beak.
And and they gradually turn to all white in their first year except for the tips of their wings, as seen in the adult here.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
August 2, 2024
and just a little mud! This pond had recently been drained but retained enough water to be a mud bath.
Alligators don’t usually lay in such mud, preferring drier land or to be submerged. He walked / plodded deliberatly to this spot…
..where he found a crab and which he worked out of the mud.
Then he immediately made his way back the way he came.
A nearby Tri-colored Heron decided to move a bit further away.
The Alligator slid into a pool of water and stayed submerged for the several minutes I stayed there watching.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 17, 2024
One gulp and it was gone.
On to the next one.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 19, 2024
I had a great view looking down on this Green Heron as he hunted at the edge of a duckweed covered pond.
Slowly…
… then the plunge…
This time he came up empty.
Not to worry, there was plenty of prey beneath that duckweed and after more patient watching for movement he would try again.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 12, 2024
I didn’t see any food get exchanged, but this Tricolored Heron chick was really working it with his parent to get a regurgitated meal.
The chick was big enough he could inflict some damage with his beak the way they were both bobbing around.
Then, the adult was finished!
The chicks always look amazed when the parent flies off.
It won’t be long and this one will be engaged in flight school and learning to get his own food.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 12, 2024
Dashing first one way then the other, this Green Heron was in search of a meal. This section of the pond is covered with mosquito fern, an aquatic plan similar to duckweed.
The mat of mosquito fern helps the heron find food as any movement near the water’s surface is easily seen.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2024
A very busy bee checked out every part of this magnolia blossom.
He picked over the “matchsticks” that had fallen into one of the petals.
I’m not sure if he actually moved any of the flower parts…
…but he sure seemed to be trying.
Then he went to the center and knocked off a few more.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2024
Several of the Juvenile Great Blue Herons have left their nests around Magnolia Plantation. This one didn’t go far and was practicing his hunting skills when I passed him last week. His much smaller sibling was still in the skinny tree nest and I don’t know if the adults will continue to feed this one or if he is completely on his own now.
He exhibited the patience these herons are known for and he had some success…
… including being able to discard the vegetation he snagged…
… while keeping his prey.
Gone in one swallow!
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 24, 2024
Great Egret chicks are extremely aggressive to each other… it is all about getting fed and survival.
They stab each other — anything to drive the siblings off and be the one to get fed.
As the adult is regurgitating the food he is getting chewed/stabbed also.
And as anyone who has witnessed this play out will attest, it is a wonder that all of them don’t lose an eye.
When all else fails turn yourself up-side down, and maybe you’ll catch or snatch something!
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 24, 2024
The three Roseate Spoonbill chicks in this nest were all vying for an opportunity to get fed.
The adults regurgitate their meals…
…and the chicks stick their beaks into the adult’s throat.
The adult didn’t seem to showing any preference, whichever chick stuck his beak in the right direction got something.
At this age the chicks don’t have much coordination so it was rather a free for all. Just guessing here and knowing they grow fast, this trio might be a week or ten days old.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
