I was sitting on a bench at the edge of the swamp watching a Great Blue Heron when this pair of Blue-winged Teals swam by.
The pair mostly stayed together, only rarely separating for a solo photograph.
The Great Blue Heron can easily see over the vegetation, watching for lunch as more Teals swam behind him.
The Teal pair quickly did a U-turn when the open water ended near where the Heron stood and went back where they came from.
Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC.
I did not see the builder or any occupant. If the light works his first night here may have persuaded him to move him on.
Click on photo for larger view.
The Daily Post Photo Challenge:
“For this challenge, show us something you’ve put to new use.”
Around and around the tree she went, looking for a good place to peck.
Downy Woodpeckers are striking with their black and white patterns and fun to watch. This female seemed small even for a Downy, but she had plenty of zip as she foraged in the tree line at the edge of the swamp.
Great Blue Heron shaking it off while fishing under the canopy of a Live Oak on the Ashley River. He had just taken a full body plunge into the water and came back empty.
Click photo for larger view.
On Sunday I posted photos of turtles posing on an Alligator ramp and logs to sun themselves out of the water. Yesterday in the same spot an Alligator was using a turtle as a head rest and more turtles were clambering to join the group.
Further along in a different pond a similar activity was taking place with a much larger Alligator, only this time the turtles were on top.
Do they have no suspicion that they might be lunch?
We returned by this spot about an hour and a half later to find the Alligator had changed position but at least one free-loader was still in place.
The nature guide at Magnolia Garden identifies these turtles as Yellow-bellied Sliders.
Click on photo for larger view.
Enhanced by the moisture from the fog this spider web became a delicate decoration hanging over the pond.
I did not see the spinner.
Click on photo for larger view.
This Great Blue Heron was speaking to its mate on a recent foggy morning at the rookery.
No one came so he/she took a trip around the pond, returning to repeat the ritual. I had my shutter speed set too low to get any flight shots.
The Great Blue Heron’s neck feathers were on full display to help with mate attraction.
Most of the pairs and singles were quiet by their nests for the hour we were there, seen below. There were a few Anhinga in the tree, too.
Click on any photo for larger view.
Magnolia Plantation Heron Rookery, January 16, 2017.
Singly or in groups, the turtles around the swamp like to climb onto about anything that protrudes out of the water on nice days.
This one came up through the duckweed leaving a shiny green coat.
They seem oblivious to the activity going on in the water around them, be it another turtle or an alligator.
This alligator platform was fair game for the turtles while it was in the shade. As the sun comes around they will likely get pushed off.
Click on any photo for larger view.
Audubon Swamp, January 2017.
Click on photo for larger view.
The Daily Post Photo Challenge:
“Whether it’s a person, a building, or an abstract shape, show us something that exists harmoniously with its surroundings.”
The flying is easy in the open as the male Great Blue Herons bring sticks to their mates.
Until they get close in.
Maneuvering around the trees that support their nests is a bit tricky. Sometimes they circle around several times before attempting a landing.
The mate keeps a watchful eye.
Click any photo for larger view.
Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp, 01/11/2017.
