I liked the idea of this first composition best of these three, but the Merganser’s beak gets lost where it overlaps with the reed behind him.
The second image has a nice profile of his beak and the water has a lighter tint.
Not surprisingly he turned away from me as he passed the end of the reed clump.
A mixed bag of wading birds was feeding in this pool of water at the side of an old rice field pond.
Most of the birds were concentrating on feeding, but a few Snowy Egrets were busier coming and going.
This one came in for full spread landing.
And almost immediately another took off.
Curses on the mud blob ruining this reflection.
Good for me, the flight path he took crossed some clear water.
This pool that was left when the water was lowered in the boat pond was very attractive to the wading birds, including this Wood Stork.
The water was just the right depth for probing for food.
A little foot splash helps stir up any submerged snacks, which generally get swallowed whole.
Like many of the wading birds, Wood Storks will hold out a wing to change the shadows in the water as they hunt.
Back and forth he went, making some interesting ripples and reflections in the water.
A Little Blue Heron sizing up a cherub statue …who can stand still longer?
The Little Blue Heron blinked.
A wider view of the Long White Bridge, the cherub reflecting underneath.
November 2020, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Charleston, SC
A White Ibis worked his way along a mud flat.
He was going along slow, maybe enjoying the late afternoon sun as much as I was.
Whatever he was getting to eat was tiny,
swallowed without even pausing.
I returned to the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens on Monday to find the lattice work being attached.
Installation had been completed about three quarters of the way across on the front side of the bridge.
Two workmen were lining up and attaching supports for the next section of lattice.
The Cherub will be more difficult to photograph through the bridge when the other side of lattice is added.
This is a view from the back side of the bridge with three Alligators in the water in the lower right.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 21, 2020
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
Obvious progress on repairs to the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been slow. These images are from November 6th, the last time I had enough light when I passed by to capture some images.
Update 3A: Long White Bridge, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Update 3B: Long White Bridge, Supervisor
These views of the bridge under construction were taken from the lawn gazebo.
The tree that fell and destroyed the bridge was on the far side of the left end. Somehow the cherub statue was spared.
The gazebo is metal, recently re-painted gaging by the brightness of the white.
A few late blooming azaleas provide a bit of color under the Spanish Moss draped Crepe Myrtle.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 6, 2020
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
Obvious progress on repairs to the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been slow. These images are from November 6th, the last time I had enough light when I passed by to capture some images.
Yesterday’s post: Update 3A: Long White Bridge, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
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A Little Blue Heron flew onto the bridge and seemed to have a proprietary air, at the least a stake in how the job is proceeding.
The heron wasn’t in any hurry; I was able to change lenses and get to the other side of the bridge.
What’s up there?
I moved along to take some images of the gazebo and was surprised the Little Blue Heron was still on the bridge.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 6, 2020
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
Obvious progress on repairs to the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been slow. These images are from November 6th, the last time I had enough light when I passed by to capture some images.
The supports for the bridge sides have been added, and painted white.
Late blooming Azaleas give a hint of one of the sought after views of the bridge, especially with brides and recently wed couples posed in the middle. You’ll have to imagine the criss-crossed bridge sides in place for now.
Unfortunately those Azaleas were only blooming on the side away from the pond and there was no pink water reflection to be had.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 6, 2020
The Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens which was severely damaged by a falling maple tree on July 7, 2020.
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
A snippet of nature that made me pause as I wandered the edge of a pond.
