A couple more pre-sunrise images of a marsh at Bear Island. I could tell the color wasn’t going to be much so worked on getting the dewy grass in the foreground. While avoiding a giant ant hill.
The water was like glass, but there wasn’t much to reflect in it.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 21, 2023
His feathers still well separated from being wet, this Anhinga must have just climbed out of the pond.
From a little further down the path, the tree reflections, pond surface, and light were quite different.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 25, 2023
Ashley River Park, Summerville, SC
August 1, 2023
Trees on the back side of the pond this Great Blue Heron was flying over made a variety of reflections in the water.
Ashley River Park, Summerville, SC
August 1, 2023
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 25, 2023
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 17, 2023
Tricolored Herons are in constant motion as they feed.
Occasionally showing off their full neck span:
When the catch is this small you need to feed continuously.
I passed this fellow a couple of times over the course of an hour or more, and he was just working his way back and forth in the shallow water.
A slight pause, watching for movement in the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 17, 2021
I’ve photographed parts of this scene many times, often with alligators or turtles on the far bank. On this mid-June day there were no creatures about but if felt very lush with all those greens. And two red Texas Star Hibiscus.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023
These wading birds were feeding in a newly lowered pond. This results in the fish becoming concentrated in a smaller and smaller amount of water and easy feeding for a wading bird. It’s fascinating to watch the feeding but can be difficult to get images of individual birds.
Eventually some of the birds got sated and flew off. A few more moved to the outer edge of the feeding, allowing for some isolated images.
There was a little breeze so the reflections weren’t perfect.
The Alligators didn’t appear to be hungry as at least a dozen of them were just floating around in between the birds.
If I couldn’t have dead calm for reflections I’d have been happier with a stiff breeze as the gnats were out in force that morning.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 2, 2023
An American Avocet strutting his stuff…
slowly strutting his stuff…
First to my right…
Undecided…
Then back the way he came.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 2, 2023
