Three wading birds were hanging out in the Spoonie Tree on Sunday.
They took turns on the various branches, occasionally routing one of the others off the tree.
They would quickly return and then manage to line themselves up with the one branch left sticking out towards me.
The water was high in the pond and only the longer legged Great Egret took a turn in the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2023
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 17, 2023
The movement in the water is little fish jumping ahead of the approaching Snowy Egret.
The fish may think they are escaping…
…but it seems to help the egret snag his snack…
…which he eats on the fly while circling around for another pass.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 2, 2023
Earlier this fall I mentioned that the water was being drained from the big rice field pond at Magnolia in preparation for burning the invasive cattails. Conditions to start the fire didn’t come together before the approach of a late season hurricane and with the potential for damage to the dikes from a storm management decided to let the water back in.
This past week they decided to try again. One of the staff told me they hope to burn by the end of December. In the mean time, wading birds have gathered to take advantage of easy feeding in the shallow water.
The alligator ramp in the upper right in the next photo would normally have water up to the lower end.
The Great Egret in the center caught a tiny fish, and a leaf.
It was a grey day so I didn’t get much contrast with all the white birds, but it was a fun show.
Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022
Dry feet aren’t really a concern for wading birds, but this Snowy Egret was keen on balancing above the water rather than dropping in.
Check out his left foot…
… now grasping like a claw…
…while his right leg looks really awkward.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 12, 2022
I almost always use the Canon’s spot metering mode when photographing white birds. Sometimes the result is even better than expected.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
The Alligators took advantage of the exposed mud as water drained out of the the big rice field pond.
And they found their way into a number of my wading bird images.
A wider view of the interior of the pond–all of those reeds are due to be burned off as soon as wind conditions are right.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
The Pied-billed Grebes and Snowy Egret kept moving along the edge of the pond, giving me better light on the water.
They continued back and forth for several minutes.
The Snowy Egret displayed a classic stalking move…
…then appeared to goose one of the Grebes.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
A small flock of Pied-billed Grebes, which feed underwater on small fish and invertebrates, were following a strutting Snowy Egret.
The water was pretty shallow but it didn’t stop the Grebes from diving in the Snowy Egret’s wake.
The Snowy Egret was quick to take advantage of the prey the Grebes were stirring up.
As usual, the Snowy did like to be the leader of the pack.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
