The pond at the bamboo garden is at the highest level I’ve seen it in a while, maybe years. Last week water was being actively pumped into the far corner.
The light made a lovely glow around this immature White Ibis as he probed the bottom.
Bamboo Garden Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 4, 2026
On three trips to Cypress Wetlands this nesting season and I’ve not seen the Yellow-crowned Night-herons performing their mating dance. They seem to be all paired up now with some nest repair activity on Monday, but mostly they were settled in.
I couldn’t see if this pair was at a nest or just hanging around, but they did have a touching moment.
A few trees over this one flew into an open space for a ruffle…
…followed by a look around.
Then he turned away from me showing off those beautiful feathers flowing down his back.
Two Great Blue Heron chicks are growing up fast in the skinny tree nest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
White, yellow and purple Iris all seen the same day around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
I rounded the corner of the swamp boardwalk to find this White Ibis walking the railing.
Something overhead caught his eye.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut, more than the usual blink.
Maybe he didn’t like what he saw.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 10, 2026
He started out with a couple of leaves that he quickly discarded.
Then he pulled on some vines that were firmly attached.
Hmm, lets take a break.
Trying this again…
More pulling and yanking did not provide a different result: the vines were staying put.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
A Downy Woodpecker was busy gathering a meal on a dead branch.
He scraped some kind of insects off the back side, then peaked down into the end.
He sat a moment while looking for his next stop.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
Northern Cardinals tend to zip on their way as soon as I spot them. This one stayed put for several minutes while I took some shots.
I wandered away, then back again a few minutes later and he was in the same spot. Based on the duller color and that behavior, I wonder if it is a young male, still figuring life out.
The foliage was dense and I didn’t see any Yellow-crowned Night-herons performing their mating dance but this fellow picked an open spot to work on his feathers.
