There is nothing graceful about the way Tundra Swans splash down and they have a bit of a kerfuffle if another swan is in their landing path. In the end, no swans were hurt. This time.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Tricolored Herons are often erratic flyers, twisting and turning as the zip around the marsh edges. This one surprised me with a long, smooth flight like he had somewhere else to be.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Tundra Swans continue to return to South Carolina’s Bear Island Wildlife Management Area each winter. We photographed them this year for the first time since 2020 and were fortunate to go on day that was in the low 70s (21C).
Many of the Swans were towards the middle of Mary’s House Pond giving us a decent view as they moved around.
All that flapping and splashing gives a good audio cue that take off is about to happen.
This duo got further and further apart as they lifted off.
Repeating myself from a 2018 post, these swans can weigh up to 23 pounds (10 Kilos) so getting into the air takes a huge effort and considerable runway distance.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Wood Ducks that I’ve encountered tend to be pretty skittish, and often fly before you hardly know they are there. This one surprised me with a gentle flap then he settled back down and paddled along, studiously avoiding getting his head in the sun patch.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2025
Many of the leaves that turn have already dropped, but there was a bit of color in the tree line at the back of the marsh.
A Great Blue Heron looks rather small tucked into the grasses at the side of this canal.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 23, 2025
I and several other folks walked underneath this Great Egret over the course of an hour.
In that hour the weather completely changed from a gorgeous blue sky morning to total overcast. Just as I was passing underneath after walking the dike, the Great Egret decided to go.
I wasn’t really prepared but took the shots anyway…
I was using my new OM System camera and wasn’t quick enough to zoom out to catch the entire bird.
Even so, I liked the detail on his feathers.
And when he got a bit further away he was fully in the frame.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 23, 2025
When we topped the hill heading towards the dike these ducks looked like a fallen branch or maybe a sunbathing Alligator like we’ve seen before.
One of the adults was watchful in the direction they were sort of heading.
I suspect the youngsters cannot yet fly. As we approached they finally moved off the road and down a small bank towards water. One of the adults did a fly-hop part way, but the juveniles didn’t even try.
They jumped into the pond and swam to a hummock where they huddled up for safety. There are several Eagles in the area that I expect this crew has seen up close.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 23, 2025
The top of this dying pine tree behind our house snapped off during a storm a couple of years ago. IÂ often can see bird movement around the jagged top and now that some nearby trees have dropped their leaves several holes are visible on the sides.
I heard this Pileated Woodpecker working away and was fortunate the sun was highlighting his activity.
Even with me watching he kept at it.
When he went around the other side of the tree I got a pretty good view of his handiwork.
SC, Backyard
November 17, 2025
OM System OM 1 Mark II
OM System 100-400mm lens
