This rooster, or one that looks just like him, has been roaming the barnyard at Middleton Place for several years. I spotted hanging out in the roots of a Live Oak tree as a few sheep wandered around him.
Middleton Place
December 19, 2024
These stems caught my eye, I was drawn to the cube shape of look of what appears to be the dried center of flower.
There was just enough breeze that I didn’t get super sharp shots.
I wish now that I had touched it to see if it contained seeds.
I passed this spot numerous times this summer and into the fall but have no recollection of what was blooming here, likely something I dismissed as a “weed.”
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 9, 2024
When this object first caught my eye I thought it was a piece of trash tossed into the bushes.
On closer look, but not too close thanks to a zoom lens, it was indeed a snake.
I’ve become much more tolerant of being in the presence of a snake since we moved to South Carolina, but I’d still be happy to never see one again.
There are two black snakes in SC. The Racer usually races away, leaving me to think this leisurely specimen was a Rat Snake.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
October 30, 2024
Yet another pink bloomer that has performed with pizzazz– some kind of ornamental fruit tree, I think.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 16, 2024
Willets, I think, based on the wing markings.
Mary’s House Pond
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 15, 2024
All sorts of trees around the low country are sporting signs of spring. This is not the same tree, but I believe this is the same species as the one creating a bit of color in White Ibis Resting.
January 25, 2024
Possibly a Roseate Skimmer, it was hot and not even the dragonflies were moving around much.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 21, 2023
A few dragonflies were perching on these giant leaves, which I believe are Powdery Alligator-flag.
The dragonfly, a Blue Dasher? I didn’t get a good enough image of his abdomen to see if there were stripes. The Great Blue Skimmer is described as “very large” … the Blue Dasher as “small.” Hmmm.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 12, 2023
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC
April 4, 2023
Two years ago fellow blogger and dragonfly enthusiast Mike Powell (https://michaelqpowell.com/) identified a similar sighting of mine as “probably a juvenile female Great Blue Skimmer.”
I’m not much further along identifying dragonflies than I was then, especially females and juveniles.
I do like to photograph them even if I don’t know what they are, and liked the three different background options this one gave me.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 30, 2023
