Tag Archives: Mammal

Fox Squirrel

May 11, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

About twice the size of a grey squirrel, the Fox Squirrel can be found scattered around the coastal areas of South Carolina. This was the first time I got a really good look at one and some pictures other than a fleeing butt end.

He jumped from the ground to the side of the tree just like a common grey squirrel would. I was ready for him to go up the tree, but instead he just sprung off into space and zipped away.

The body of the Fox Squirrel can be grey, black or brown. All of the color variations share the black face mask and white nose and ear tips.

Animals

Rabbits

May 10, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

I spotted these two rabbits about a half mile apart. The first one is a Swamp, or Marsh, Rabbit. I’m basing the identification on an educational sign posted near this location and that he is sitting in water / swamp vegetation.

I frequently spot one or more in the swamp edge or on one of the small islands just off the trail on the way to the heron rookery. They can move pretty fast even in the reeds and rarely do I see enough of one to get a photograph.

The second one was in a small grassy area behind one of the garden ponds. Until I compared the images I thought this was probably another Marsh Rabbit, but now see some differences. Leporidae is the family of rabbits and hares and with over 60 species I’m going to leave it at “Rabbit.”

Animals

Raccoons

March 12, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

A mother Raccoon was herding three of her children along the edge of the Vierra Wetlands drive. The slope down away from the road is mowed and then there is a wide section of tall marsh grasses before an impoundment of open water.

We watched from the car as the family was weaving in and out of the taller grasses and reeds. Occasionally mama came further out into the mowed area to check back on what her charges were up to.

A family portrait was not on the agenda.

Vierra Wetlands, Florida, 2/21/2018.

Animals, Wildlife

One Got Away

December 4, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I did not see the Needlefish when I was taking these shots. The glare from the afternoon sun and the splash from the strand feeding Dolphin were what I saw in the viewfinder while I was hoping the Dolphin’s head would emerge through the water.

The fish’s jumping skills outran the Dolphin’s efforts to corner him near shore.

In a matter of seconds the the Dolphin turned back into the deeper water.

Animals

Synchronized Dolphins

November 28, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The tide was coming in working against the river flowing out. A group of about a dozen Dolphins worked up and down the mouth of the river giving fleeting glimpses of fins, tails, and head bobs, mostly out in the middle of the river.

Dolphins hunt for food cooperatively and I have seen pairs and groups of 4 or 5 working together. Often it is hard to tell how many because they aren’t visible at the same time and can travel long distances under water. This pair showed off a few elegant moves before they went on their way.

Folly Beach County Park, SC.

Animals, Wildlife

Dolphins Moving Water

November 24, 2017 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The bank of the river is very steep here which not only helps the Dolphin corral fish to feed on but it creates a funnel wave up the shore. I could hear the water coming and didn’t want to miss the Dolphin, but I think the funnel may have been a more interesting photograph. I’ll need to see this a few more times to get placed properly for the best shot.

He’s in there somewhere. Amazingly fast and agile, Dolphins create a swirl in the water as they zoom by.

The splash was quite dramatic as he made a turn, sending an incredible amount of water airborne.

There is at least 1000 feet of river shoreline where the Dolphins were feeding this day, and with their speed it was tough to choose a place to stand.

Animals

Dolphins

November 18, 2017 Ellen Jennings 12 Comments

I have frequently seen Dolphins in the ocean, rivers and creeks while out photographing in the greater Charleston area. Except for one frenzied experience in May I had only seen glimpses and teases of the promise of getting a Dolphin photo that included more than a fin.

Yesterday that changed when we watched six or eight Dolphins interacting in the mouth of a river. This group rose and dove around each other, with the juvenile often nudging up against one of the adults.

Following their swimming pattern helps to be looking in the right place for their next appearance but they are quick to change direction. Occasionally did something totally different!

Several of the adults stayed in the periphery of the group and also took some time for feeding along the river edge, which will be another post.

After about a half hour the group moved further from us then disappeared around a corner.

Animals, Nature

Dolphin Frenzy

May 12, 2017 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A big splash got our attention as we were leaving the USS Yorktown at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum this afternoon. I thought it might be an Alligator, then saw a high splash of water.

The dolphin made his way up and down the stretch of water that sits between the museum boats and the shore, splashing as he went. Fortunately for me there is a dock that runs parallel to the shore and away I went to follow the unfolding drama.

A large fish started jumping out of the water trying to stay ahead of the dolphin.

He got caught!

Then got away!

Undeterred, the dolphin tried again while a Snowy Egret decided to relocate further from the action.

The volume of water and waves the dolphin splashed up was incredible to watch.