Tag Archives: Snowy Egret

Bird Trio In The Spoonie Tree

Three wading birds were hanging out in the Spoonie Tree on Sunday.

Great Egret, Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree
Great Egret, Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree

They took turns on the various branches, occasionally routing one of the others off the tree.

Tricolored Heron in the Spoonie Tree
Tricolored Heron in the Spoonie Tree

They would quickly return and then manage to line themselves up with the one branch left sticking out towards me.

Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree
Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree

The water was high in the pond and only the longer legged Great Egret took a turn in the water.

Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree, Great Egret in the Pond
Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret in the Spoonie Tree, Great Egret in the Pond

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2023

Snowy Egret Getting Lunch

The movement in the water is little fish jumping ahead of the approaching Snowy Egret.

Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly
Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly

The fish may think they are escaping…

Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly
Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly

…but it seems to help the egret snag his snack…

Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly
Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly

…which he eats on the fly while circling around for another pass.

Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly
Snow Egret Hunting On The Fly

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 2, 2023

Wading Bird Frenzy

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.

Wading Bird Frenzy
Wading Bird Frenzy

The alligator ramp in the upper right in the next photo would normally have water up to the lower end.

Wading Bird Frenzy
Wading Bird Frenzy

The Great Egret in the center caught a tiny fish, and a leaf.

Wading Bird Frenzy
Wading Bird Frenzy

It was a grey day so I didn’t get much contrast with all the white birds, but it was a fun show.

Wading Bird Frenzy
Wading Bird Frenzy

Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022

Snowy Egret Keeping His Feet Dry

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.

Snowy Egret Balancing
Snowy Egret Balancing

Check out his left foot…

Snowy Egret Balancing
Snowy Egret Balancing

… now grasping like a claw…

Snowy Egret Balancing
Snowy Egret Balancing

…while his right leg looks really awkward.

Snowy Egret Balancing
Snowy Egret Balancing

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 12, 2022

Alligators Everywhere

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.

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators
Snowy Egret Flying By Alligator
Snowy Egret Flying By Alligator

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.

Wading Birds and Alligator
Wading Birds and Alligator, The Alligator’s crawl path zigzagging across the mud

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022

Snowy Egret and Grebes Feeding Together, 2

The Pied-billed Grebes and Snowy Egret kept moving along the edge of the pond, giving me better light on the water.

Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes, Bump in the water behind the Snowy is a Grebe

They continued back and forth for several minutes.

Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes

The Snowy Egret displayed a classic stalking move…

Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes

…then appeared to goose one of the Grebes.

Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022

Snowy Egret and Grebes Feeding Together

A small flock of Pied-billed Grebes, which feed underwater on small fish and invertebrates, were following a strutting Snowy Egret.

Snowy Egret Strutting Between Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Strutting Between Pied-billed Grebes

The water was pretty shallow but it didn’t stop the Grebes from diving in the Snowy Egret’s wake.

Snowy Egret Strutting Between Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Strutting Between Pied-billed Grebes

The Snowy Egret was quick to take advantage of the prey the Grebes were stirring up.

Snowy Egret Feeding Between Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding Between Pied-billed Grebes

As usual, the Snowy did like to be the leader of the pack.

Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes
Snowy Egret Feeding With Pied-billed Grebes

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022