Two Osprey were flying over the Kiawah River while I was watching the Dolphins on Wednesday.
Osprey are expert hover / divers for fish in the water.
I did not see either of them dive but did enjoy watching the display of their flying skills.
In between stationery hovers they took advantage of the stiff breeze with seemingly effortless swooping.
Hi there!
On March 8th I walked by the nest featured in my March 3rd post: It’s Twins, Eagles That Is!
I only saw one of the juveniles and didn’t spot an adult in the area. It’s a poor view and the lighting was bad. But it’s an Eagle!
On March 16th I went by and again only saw one juvenile. If anything, the lighting was worse. The trees around the pine are starting to leaf out making a clean view difficult.
One of the adults was perched on the other side of the nest. You can see the that the nest is big enough that the second juvenile could be there and not be seen.
Red-shouldered balancing act.
Made it!
I was hoping to find Wood Ducks in this pond but instead found a Red-shouldered Hawk looking for a meal.
He snatched a snack coated with vegetation out of the water.
Then got his balance.
Then flew to this Wood Duck box with something that might have been a crawfish.
I’ve been by this nest a few times this winter and not seen or heard any sign that it was occupied. I was quite surprised to see these two juvenile Bald Eagles peering out.
This is the nest from the other side. I’m guessing it is at least 50 feet (15 meters) off the ground.
I was not aware that one of the adults was there until looking at this images at home. Just above center in the middle of this image you can see the wing and part of the adult Eagle head.
Taken February 27, 2020
Driving into Bear Island Wildlife Management Area I saw several American Kestrals on the electric line. This one stayed put long enough for me to get an image. The usual routine with these raptors is for them to shift down the wire seconds before you get them in focus.
About an hour later, driving out of the refuge I spotted another one who obligingly flew into a fairly close tree. Unfortunately I didn’t realize there was a twig across his face until later but had taken a few images after he shifted a bit further from me. It’s not a sharp image but you get an idea of how petite they are as North America’s littlest falcon, per TheCornellLab’s All About Birds.
February 29. 2020
Even though I knew he was nearby I was still startled to see this Red-shouldered Hawk less than 10 feet (3 Meters) in front of me and at eye level.
My third Red-shouldered Hawk sighting on Tuesday’s walk seemed less promising when I first spotted him in the distance.
I was on my way out and the path I was on crossed under his perch.
I got a close up view and then surprise!
I was focused on the hawk when he took off without warning and was pleased with getting a lift off sequence.
My second Red-shouldered Hawk sighting on Tuesday’s walk was further off the path, but with no leaves on the trees I had a clear view.
This hawk was looking more put together than the bedraggled one from Sighting 1 and notice his tail is held tightly together.
The hawk was watching all around him, but with one foot up was pretty relaxed.
On my walk around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens yesterday I came upon three separate Red-shouldered Hawks just waiting to be photographed. This first one was perched over a small pond, looking like he’d just been for a swim.
He’s got what looks like duck weed stuck to his chest.
He was sitting with his tail somewhat fanned out, showing of the stripe on the underside.
Some preening and fluffing up made him look more bedraggled, at least temporarily.
