Tag Archives: Mammal

Selection of Eastern Grey Squirrels

February 24, 2024 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Lately I’ve been seeing squirrels all over Magnolia Plantation. With few leaves on the trees I’ve gotten a few images.

This first one was enjoying a colorful snack on one of the inner pathways.

This fellow was trying to pretend he didn’t see me, with some kind of a nut in his mouth.

This squirrel was in the parking lot and snapped off a bunch of the berries like they were grapes before moving to a more secure location to start snacking.

At the edge of the parking lot, this squirrel was waiting for me to pass by before making his move.

Grey Squirrel on Stump – February 8, 2024

Animals

Cashmere Goat, Closeups

September 26, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The Cashmere Goat pair were having a nap at the Middleton Place stable yard when I walked by. One wasn’t interest in Ted and I having a look but this one’s curiosity got the best of him. He turned towards me showing off his silky goatee.

I only had my Tamron 180mm lens with me so I only got close up shots.

I backed way up to get this shot of the goat watching over the fence as one of the farm workers went by with some hay for the chicken coop–that he was very interested in.

Middleton Place Heritage Stable Yard, Charleston, SC
September 23, 2023

Animals

White-tailed Deer Fawn

April 15, 2023 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Another photographer told me about this young fawn just off the boardwalk. It would be easy to pass right by without seeing it; in fact I saw some chatty folks do just that.

The fawn never moved while I took a few photographs.

I did two circuits around the Beidler boardwalk and the second time around he was in the same spot, tucked down even further and appeared to be asleep.

As I walked away something startled him and he took off like a shot. I expect the Doe wasn’t far off. Deer are known to leave their young on their own as their spotty camouflage and lack of scent protects them from predators.

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
April 14, 2023

Animals

Marsh Rabbit In The Salad

April 5, 2023 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

I was going to say “in the weeds” but it is all salad to a Marsh Rabbit.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 30, 2023

Animals

Cashmere Goat Escapades

March 4, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Three years ago I posted about Middleton Place’s new pair of Cashmere Goats in their Heritage Stable yard and how the goats like to climb on things.

Turns out they like to head-butt things, too. Like the gate to their enclosure and then to make unauthorized excursions. Yesterday morning when staff arrived the goats had broken into the sheep pen.

The goats were moved into an empty pasture area while repairs were conducted and when I passed by the goats seemed a bit lost in this great big space that sometimes has a few horses in it.

I have heard the clunk of their horns when they tussle and can easily see how this pair could use their heads to break down about anything.

Staff had started afternoon feedings at the other end of the barn yard and I’m sure they knew their turn was coming.

But wait, we’re not where we get fed!

The goats were led back to their pen a few minutes later, where their dinner awaited them.

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 3, 2023

Animals

Goats Of Another Color

December 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Middleton Place has a non-featured trio of goats in their Heritage Stable yard. They are in the back, away from the flashier Cashmere Goats that are penned next to the sheep. There may be goat antics that require this separation.

I’ve stopped by to see these three many times and a couple weeks ago for the first time the goats were in a sun patch, although didn’t line up for any kind of group photo. They’ve got some impressive horns and did show off their goatees.

Brown Goat, Nice view of the rectangular pupil

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
November 29, 2022

Animals

White-tailed Deer, I See You

August 4, 2022 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 3, 2022

Animals

Armadillo Quadruplets

July 19, 2022 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Referred to as pups, baby Nine-banded Armadillos almost always come in fours. The fertilized egg breaks into four identical zygotes, yielding quadruplets.

Juvenile Armadillo Quintuplets, Just off the boardwalk

No adult was to be seen supervising this quartet of constant movement. They nurse for two to three months then gradually venture off on their own.

Insects, larvae and other food found on or in the ground make up the Armadillo’s diet.

This fellow shows off his claw and snout, the tools used to maximize his grazing.

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
July 9, 2022

Animals

Marsh Rabbit

July 15, 2022 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The dike across the big pond at Donnelley WMA was rife with Marsh Rabbits the last time I went.

I lost count around twenty.

I didn’t see this one until I was right beside him; I was more surprised he didn’t bolt.

This one did. Smart rabbit.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 3, 2022

Animals

Dolphin In Marsh

June 20, 2022 Ellen Jennings 10 Comments

Seeing Dolphins never gets old…

There was an exceptionally high tide that morning, allowing Dolphin to explore beyond their normal range.

These Dolphin would have traveled more than ten miles from St. Helena Sound to reach this point. Follow all the twists and turns along the yellow line I’ve drawn:

Path of the Dolphin, Nine miles (14.5 KM) as the crow flies

This spot is a dead end for their travels.

The pair swirled around in this pool a few times then disappeared back the way the came.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022