A trio of Raccoons was coming towards Ted and I on a dike between two old rice fields.
I thought we had been spotted, but they kept coming.
Oh!
One made a silent U-turn.
Oh!
U-turn.
And pick up the pace!
Raccoons Out For A Walk
Tag Archives: Mammal
Nine-banded Armadillo, Closer Up
As I passed the Armadillo Pair I was able to get a few closer images of just one.
They spent most of their time rooting through the leaves and pine needles, searching out insects to eat.
Eventually, he meandered off into the woods leaving me with an interesting view of his segmented tail.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Armadillo Pair
Usually when I see an Armadillo it is partially hidden by heavy brush or making a fast exit. This was one of the few times I’ve seen Armadillos out in the open and the first time I’ve seen a pair together.
They were just off a wooded walking path, very intent with their snouts to the ground.
As I walked towards them they didn’t give any indication they heard me.
They just kept rooting around in the pine needles as I passed by.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Bottlenose Dolphins Mating
Like nature shows on tv, our nature boat trip to Bird Key to see the Brown Pelican chicks included some mating. This time is was not birds, but Dolphins.
Our boat captain and guide spotted a pod of Dolphins on our return trip up the Kiawah River. He was quick to say he thought we’d also see some mating based on his interpretation of what we were seeing.
From our distance on a bobbing boat it was hard to say for sure, but scenes frozen by the camera tell the story. Before you scroll on I’ll tell you that even at a distance they are graphic. And amazing.
The gestation period for Bottlenose Dolphins is twelve months. Tune in a year from now and we may see a calf.
Kiawah River, SC
July 12, 2021
Cashmere Goat, Dinner Time
I stopped by the Middleton Place stable yard just as the Cashmere Goats were having their dinner.
One of the pair was plopped in the middle of their manger, hogging the hay and taking advantage of a padded eating spot.
The standing goat went for a drink then shared his take on the situation.
Middleton Place Heritage Stable yard
April 5, 2021
Cashmere Goat
Middleton Place has recently added a new pair of Cashmere Goats to their Heritage Stable yard.
Goats like to climb on things.
The day I was visiting one of the goats was getting trimmed outside the pen and the one left behind wanted to know where his pal had gone. My answer didn’t satisfy him.
Good Morning!
An Eastern Grey Squirrel looking ready for the day, posed between some resurrection fern and Spanish Moss.
Dolphin Strand Feeding
Conditions shaped up nicely on Wednesday to head to Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island to observe Dolphins feeding. Timing was good, with low tide about 10:30am. Strand feeding, the method peculiar to this area of South Carolina’s coast where Dolphin drive fish to the shore, tends to happen two hours either side of the low tide.
For a couple of hours the light was good and I was pleased to get this sequence, which was much less vigorous than previous times I’ve witnessed this behavior. The Dolphin seemed to be lolling around in the shallow water, not zooming full speed ahead.
Other times I’ve seen this as a cooperative effort but this Dolphin was on her own.
My position and the shape of the sand bank cut off some of the action.
I got a little closer before the Dolphin flipped around and caught a fish.
Once again I was amazed the power of these animals which is evident in the splash of water and waves that rushed to shore.
It turns out that it was a good thing I went Wednesday. As of today all of the area beaches are closed due to Covid-19 concerns.
Pigs! Stop!
Ted spotted them when I was driving and of course yelled “stop!” He got out of the car but I could not–it wasn’t a safe place to pull over plus I didn’t want to spook the pigs.
It was almost sunset with the sun was already down below the trees. I got a few images out the car window at a bad angle, in between watching out for cars running up behind us.
I was amazed how jet black this last little fellow was.
I expect Ted will have a variety of pictures and maybe a better story to tell.
Oliver, Truck Companion
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Oliver and his owner.
Oliver was buckled into the front seat of the truck for safety; they were about to head for home after a short road trip.
I got the impression that Oliver did not care where they were headed, he was quite happy to be along for the ride.
He looks a bit like a Huskie and clearly had eyes for his owner.
All ready here, just waiting on my pal.
Oliver had a clear view out the front, until nap time, which comes with a pillow in this well equipped truck.
