This Barred Owl sat quietly with his catch, a Five-lined Skink, a common lizard in South Carolina.
After squeezing it with his beak for a bit he transferred it to his talon. You can see the tail dangling below the branch in this next image.
I didn’t see any sign of life in the lizard, but the owl kept a firm hold for six or seven minutes before flying off with it.
Looking a little worse for the wear this Bard Owl was drying out after a rain
Way up in a pine tree this fuzzy Barred Owl Owlet was drying off after a downpour.
One of his parents was over by the bamboo pond; I did not spot the other, but don’t doubt it was nearby.
Based on previous year’s experience we’ll soon be seeing junior closer to the pond to get hunting lessons.
It was dark under the canopy of an aged Live Oak tree. The Red-shouldered Hawk didn’t seem to mind as he looked around.
A few long -ago broken off limbs provided a perch with good visibility for the hawk.
Taken May 12, 2019
Sony Alpha 6500 with 55-210 MM lens at 210 MM.
Good morning! That is all.
Part of the swamp I visit is dotted with dead trees, victims of time and probably changing water levels.
Red-shouldered Hawks are among the birds that find them to be good perches with little to obstruct their view.
This fellow was hunting for lunch in the water below.
January 22, 2020
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.
