Tag Archives: Photography

Great Blue Herons Mating Ritual

February 19, 2017 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The mated pairs spend a lot of time surveying the nest, often adjusting the stick, and making sure they keep their claim. Other Great Blues or Great Egrets would be happy to take over a turn-key home.

Their displays of affection include their feathers ability to defy gravity.

They are awkward birds to begin with and this maneuver requires a lot of flapping.

The ritual continues as the male continues to bring sticks to his mate.

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Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp, Valentines Day 2017.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Standing Watch

February 18, 2017 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A Great Blue Heron on her nest in the late afternoon sun.

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Birds

Anhinga Pair Nesting

February 17, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Busy working on their nest at the end of the day this Anhinga pair was a challenge to photograph due to the low light. I used Dfine 2 to reduce the noise, hoping to keep the wing detail.

The male brought Spanish Moss and branches for nesting materials

Practically condo living, all this activity is just below an active Great Blue Heron nest. The GBH neighbors are mostly tolerant, but occasionally sqwak over the side of their higher perch.

Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp Rookery, 2/13 & 2/14 2017,

Birds, Duck

Wood Duck

February 16, 2017 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

A few Wood Ducks have been around the ponds at Magnolia Gardens over the last month. With the males’ color scheme they are easy to pick out in a crowd of ducks. That and they are usually retreating faster than the rest, having been aware of a human before you spot them.

This day they were gathered at the far end of the big pond. I waited at an opening in the brush for them to edge their way closer.

Back and forth, I finally got a couple of shots without too much glare on the water.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Egret Treetop Landing

February 15, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The spindly looking branches didn’t look like they would hold this Great Egret.

But at only about 2 pounds according to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the egret stuck the landing very easily.

A few flaps of his wings and balance from the tail and he was set. The breeding plumage adds to the show but doesn’t have much substance to add to flight negotiations.

About ten minutes later he was still there, grooming as the light faded just before sundown.

Landscape, South Carolina

Last Light at the Rookery

February 14, 2017 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The water was still and the reflections sharp as the sun went down.

Birds that had been squabbling an hour before managed to settle in as darkness approached. I’d like to know how much of that goes on after dark, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough to stay.

Another pond with wonderful reflections on the way back to the car.

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Birds, Duck

A Flash of Color

February 12, 2017 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The male of the Blue Winged Teal pair flashes a range of blue and green in his wing feathers. The female has a subtle hint of green in view while she is grooming.

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Birds, Wading Birds

Meanwhile, In Other News

February 11, 2017 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Not all the Great Blue Herons around Magnolia Plantation’s gardens and swamps are currently engaged in mating activity; maybe they are too young or too old. We see them around the swamp doing their thing: mostly wading and fishing.

This one made a lovely reflection as he seemed to be reflecting on what to do next.

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2/2/2017

Flowers, Photo Challenge

WPC: Shadow

February 10, 2017 Ellen Jennings 9 Comments

Reaching out of the shadow

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Shadow

The Daily Post Photo Challenge:

“This week, hunt for shadows and incorporate them into your shot. The shadow can be the focal point of the image, or simply a detail that adds texture and makes the scene a bit more dynamic.”

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Mama on Her Own

February 10, 2017 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Between their courtship activities the male flies off for either food or more nesting materials. Sometimes the female tries out the nest.

Then makes an announcement.

These were taken just before sun down on February 2. The light was low but the highlights of the breeding plumage kept enticing me to take more shots.

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