This image goes with Ted’s post at TPJ Photo, Mud Gator, which could have been titled “Why Did The Alligator Cross the Road?”
I digress. Ted and I have pretty much given up on alerting the other to photography opportunities when we are out but I turned when I heard him call my name. This is what I saw:
Some greenery is starting to sprout but most leaves aren’t out enough to block the view of perched birds. This Red-shouldered Hawk was patiently waiting to spot his next meal in the pond below.
There was a lot of activity to be seen on a late afternoon boat ride into the Harbor River from Russ Point on Hunting Island, SC even as the day came to an end.
From the beach near the dock a fisherman was casting into the river.
Fly Fisherman
A Bald Eagle watched over the river and surrounding marsh from a dead tree.
Bald Eagle
A pod of Dolphins was all around us as we set out, probably fishing for the last meal of the day.
Dolphin Tale
Off in the distance it was raining.
Sun Rain Clouds
The Harbor River is at the southern end of the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The Reserve’s 99,308 acres of pine and hardwood upland, oyster reef, forested wetland, barrier islands, cypress swamp, and tidal marsh combine to make this one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast and home to many endangered species.
At the height of summer the reeds growing along the dikes that run through the old rice fields impede the view of the water. Turning them into lemonade, they are pretty with a few puffy clouds thrown in.
If they follow last year’s pattern this tree will soon be occupied by nesting Great Blue Heron and Great Egret couples. Until then White Ibis have taken over the tree for sunning.
White Ibis resting in Tree
Doing the one-legged doze the Ibis stood right here for a couple of hours at least.
White Ibis resting in Tree
There is not a bit of material left from last year’s nests. Any Great Blues or Great Egrets that stake this out to start a family will be starting nest building from zero.
The windows on the end of the abandoned Boynton House at South Carolina’s Donnelley Wildlife Management Area intrigued me. Why three and interesting that they are lined up with the roof peak not centered in the room that appears to run front to back of the house.
Boynton House
The reflections in the windows of a tree trunk and other vegetation was an interesting play on light.
Boynton House
The windows facing front in the same room were a double set and appeared to be the same size.