This series was taken just after the sun came up a few weeks ago.
There were long shadows on the pond and the light was changing rapidly.
Two to Tango: A brief territorial spat…
While one Great Egret circled around…
…the other opted to fly off.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 23, 2023
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
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
Earlier this fall I mentioned that the water was being drained from the big rice field pond at Magnolia in preparation for burning the invasive cattails. Conditions to start the fire didn’t come together before the approach of a late season hurricane and with the potential for damage to the dikes from a storm management decided to let the water back in.
This past week they decided to try again. One of the staff told me they hope to burn by the end of December. In the mean time, wading birds have gathered to take advantage of easy feeding in the shallow water.
The alligator ramp in the upper right in the next photo would normally have water up to the lower end.
The Great Egret in the center caught a tiny fish, and a leaf.
It was a grey day so I didn’t get much contrast with all the white birds, but it was a fun show.
Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022
I expected this Great Egret to fly as soon as I saw him nestled in the marsh grass, thinking I had startled him.
I watched, and waited, and waited. Then I looked away for a few seconds …
…and sure enough, lift off was happening, and away he went.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
The Snowy Egret and the Spoonbill took a break from harassing each other while the Great Egret was doing his own thing.
A closer look at the Alligators: it was warming up and they were looking for sunny spots out of the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
In another scene from dull Friday morning, a Great Blue Heron routed a Great Egret out of his spot.
A Snowy Egret watched, unmoved.
While the Great Blue Heron executed a perfect landing.
The Great Egret let out a few squawks and went on his way.
The big pond, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 4, 2022
While paddling around the swamp looking at Water Lilies we spotted one Great Egret, patiently looking for his lunch.
This was the Egret’s view out into the swamp.
August 26, 2022
Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 3, 2022
A few wading birds were strolling through oyster beds revealed by the outgoing tide. It made a nice scene for me, while waiting for the ferry to Bulls Island.
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, SC
July 24, 2022
