A juvenile Eastern Bluebird perched on one of the monuments at Magnolia Cemetery.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 5, 2026
Eastern Bluebird, Monument Perch
Tag Archives: OM 100-400mm
Wood Stork, Chick and Parent
The adult Wood Stork didn’t move much, changing from left facing to right facing just once while I was watching.
The chick tried all kinds of positions from having his legs bended beneath him in the first image to upright…
… to the full tall stretch.
Their bodies are roughly the same size, but you can see the youngster doesn’t have the full tail or beak length yet.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Danger, Danger!
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.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Wood Stork, Getting A Snack
Only sometimes it turns out to be a dud.
Just open your beak…
…and drop it back in the water.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 6, 2026
Snowy Egret Hanging Out In the Spoonie Tree
A Snowy Egret doing what egrets do: stand, stretch, scratch and stare.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
June 21, 2026
The Spoonie Tree Finally Tipped Over
I’ve watched this tree slowly tilt for many years. It was upright at our last visit in June, when there wasn’t much going on but I did take one shot of the tree:
Sometime between then and August 9 it tipped over.
Hopefully it will continue to provide a bird soap box for years.
A few posts documenting the tree’s demise:
February 2024:Â Cormorants in the Spoonie Tree
August 2023:Â The Spoonie Tree, August 2023
November 2021:Â The Spoonie Tree, Slowly It Tilts
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 9, 2026
Green Heron
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 5, 2026
Tricolored Heron, Reflection
This Tricolored Heron was on the hunt for breakfast. He and the trees on the far side of the pond made a lovely water reflection.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Black Skimmer with Audience
Well, they really weren’t paying any attention to the passing Skimmer, but the Black-crowned Night-heron and Alligator add something to the images. It was shortly after sunrise and the light wasn’t yet reaching the water or the near side of the pond.
When the Skimmer lifted off the water to make a turn he was nicely lit.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026
Great Blue Heron Just After Sunrise
The sun had been up long enough that this Great Blue Heron might already have had his breakfast. The pond was teeming with fish so he certainly had opportunity.
I thought he might keep fishing but he decided to move along.
Although it was just one flap of his wings…
… and a gentle landing.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 4, 2026