Brown Pelicans like to perch up high around the boat docks in their version of King of the Hill. The view is good, potential food is easily spotted, and its a good place to dry off.
A wider view showing a couple of Laughing Gulls in some prime spots.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
August 5, 2025
We didn’t just see Brown Pelicans on the Pelican Cruise. A wide variety of other shore birds are using Bird Key this summer, including American Oyster Catchers.
Our guide could see Black Skimmers nesting in the interior of the island with his binoculars.
The bobbing boat prevented any meaningful photographs, but several were resting at the edge of the surf mixed with some Laughing Gulls.
I was disappointed to not get a clearer image of this juvenile Dolphin, but it was such a joy to pass by a Dolphin pod on our way out to Bird Key.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 3, 2024
They were too far away for me to really see what this pair of Laughing Gulls was doing, but from the intense pursuit food seemed the likely inspiration.
They put on quite an acrobatic show.
Flying upside down, and hanging onto the fish…
They kept on moving, beyond where I could photograph them. I’m not sure either one got a meal out of their adventure.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
Hundreds of birds nested on Bird Key this summer and the land and sky were full of activity on this July day.
Most of the birds on land seen here are Brown Pelicans, the smaller white ones are chicks. The chicks were awkwardly walking, but not yet flying.  There were lots of Laughing Gulls that provided constant noise, and a few White Ibis mixed in.
On the outer edge of the island, the open Atlantic Ocean beyond, a sand bar has formed that was popular spot for preening.
Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC
July 12, 2021
The sky was a beautiful orange glow behind a Laughing Gull perched on a dock piling.
05/23/2019
We stopped at a dock to watch the sun go down and this Laughing Gull made a few last passes over the water.
The reflecting sun made interesting blue and orange stripes in the water.
In a matter of seconds the color disappeared along with the bird.
05/24/2019, Folly Beach Road, SC
A row of wading birds was lined up along the shore of this shallow pond. Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Laughing Gulls and a lone Tricolored Heron went about their morning rituals with little fuss.
The Cormorant was swimming low in the water with his catch, probably a crab based on the parts you can see sticking out in a couple of the images.
Alas, a Laughing Gull spotted him and dropped in for a closer look.
The Cormarant dodged the gull and kept his prize.
The gull rose up a for another try.
Attracted by the activity a second gull joined in the harrassment.
The Cormarant dodged the interlopers and swallowed his lunch before the gulls re-grouped.
Click on any photo for a larger view of the action.
