The adult Common Gallinule was aware of the approaching alligator and started fussing at her chicks.
Gather around!
Better yet, get behind me.
A squawk for good measure, as if that would deter an alligator!
The chicks got the message and continued away from the water.
The alligator veered off, drifting into the pond bank a bit further along. Perhaps he wasn’t hungry, or that loud bird wasn’t worth his effort.
This young Downy Woodpecker wanted to land on our birdfeeder but he was having trouble with his approach.
Which way to turn?
The stick is attached to the pole holding the feeder, providing a convenient landing and eating perch.
He made it after a few tries then a bolder Carolina Chickadee chased him off. The Woodpecker was back in just a few minutes to try again.
July 10, 2026
A small flock of Black-necked Stilts were feeding in a shallow pool left when the water was drained from the big pond. Several of them appeared to be juveniles, both by their squawky constant communication and mottled brown feathers.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
It is sometimes hard to tell where one chick ends and the next one starts with all that fuzz.
I was sure there were two Tricolored Heron chicks and possibly a third …
…then it was confirmed: triplets!
Another angle with one of the parents providing protection while busy grooming. Number three had tucked back down.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 5, 2026
Little Blue Herons look pretty snazzy as they transition from all white to all blue.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
June 21, 2026
Two Great Blue Heron chicks are growing up fast in the skinny tree nest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
When we topped the hill heading towards the dike these ducks looked like a fallen branch or maybe a sunbathing Alligator like we’ve seen before.
One of the adults was watchful in the direction they were sort of heading.
I suspect the youngsters cannot yet fly. As we approached they finally moved off the road and down a small bank towards water. One of the adults did a fly-hop part way, but the juveniles didn’t even try.
They jumped into the pond and swam to a hummock where they huddled up for safety. There are several Eagles in the area that I expect this crew has seen up close.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 23, 2025
A dead fallen limb on the edge of a pond made a lovely perch for this juvenile Little Blue Heron.
Ravenswood Pond
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 27, 2025
Three Wood Stork chicks were standing around with adult supervision–sort of.
The chicks were in constant motion. The adult didn’t seem to move even a smidge.
A little bit closer view–you can see the feathers are developing in size and starting to get darker feathers along the wing edge.
The Great Egret chick in the background perked up, perhaps a parent was on its way with food.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 23, 2025
Tricolored Herons were in various stages of nesting around Cypress Wetlands in May.
This adult stood up to tend her eggs and then settled back down.
A few feet away another nest had three chicks, several weeks old I’d guess as they were beyond the “naked” look.
They were doing some grooming, pushing each other around–what else is their to do between feedings?
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 23, 2025
