There still wasn’t much color around the pond from the trees or other vegetation. But the water was still making lovely reflections. The birds in the bigger island trees are mostly Cormorants with a few Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons sprinkled in.
Taken 2/12/2018 with the Sony Alpha 6500, 18-105 Lens, Processed in Lightroom and NIK Color FX Pro 4.
Do Dogs Like Sunsets?
Maybe they don’t care, but they sure like walks on the beach!
It was a beautiful end to the day, the tide was out and there was very little breeze. The temperature around 60 degrees F (15 C) belied that it is still winter in South Carolina.
Sun setting behind Folly River from Folly Beach County Park, 2/6/2018.
Another reflective afternoon at the pond when there was little heron or egret activity until much later when the sun was almost down and the light poor.
Taken with the Sony Alpha 6500, 18-105 Lens, Processed in Lightroom and NIK Color FX Pro 4.
When we arrived at Mary’s Pond about 20 minutes before sunrise on Wednesday this group of Wood Storks with a single Great Blue Heron was huddled in a canal that runs along side the pond.
The Heron flew off shortly after I took this photo. As it got lighter the Wood Storks started wading down the canal out of my sight.
Sony Alpha 6500, 18-105 mm at 105 mm, F4, ISO 3200
A pair of Great Blue Herons have started a nest in the “skinny tree.” On December 28 I posted that this tree hadn’t sparked much interest among the nesting birds.
These were shot with the Sony Alpha 6500, 55-210 mm lens at 1/1000 sec, 129mm.
The leafless trees in the background reflect a very harsh light which I toned down with Lightroom and Color FX Pro.
The male had a successful landing but the female had to brace herself to keep her footing.
This pair may only be testing each other out as mates. Despite bringing sticks for the nest and some attention to the female, the male flew off to take a stick to another tree. The female didn’t look pleased and eventually flew off and came back with her own stick.
Now that I’ve gotten more comfortable with the Sony Alpha 6500 for landscape images I’m spending some time working with the 55-200 mm lens for bird photos. Making adjustments is less intuitive than the Canon gear I’ve become accustomed to, but these Ibis were just hanging around which gave me some time to think about what I was doing.
In addition to the poser above, several Ibis were pecking at the edge of the pond. Their blue eyes are one of these birds’ claim to fame.
I don’t usually do this but in this last image I did edit out the poop on his back side. The White Ibis are so white that it just bothered me.
I’m making progress but more practice is definitely in order!
The sun was going down behind me and cast a pink glow in the east that reflected on the pond. The Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets were still sorting out their roosts for the night and a number of Cormorants had settled into the trees on the island.
01/16/2018
Today had none of the brilliance of my last images from these spots: it was grey and few sprinkles of rain had graced us. But the pond was just as still and the reflections as clear.
Our recent cold weather has slowed the nesting activity with only a few herons tending to nests today.
01/10/2018
Click on photo for larger view
Taken with the Sony Alpha 6500, 18-105 Lens, Processed in Lightroom and NIK Color FX Pro 4.
It’s not just the fences that are works of art at Magnolia Cemetery. Statues and monuments giving tribute to the departed of all ages are scattered throughout all of the sections.
The lush landscaping and massive trees, evident even in December, add to the peaceful feeling of the cemetery. I’m usually more interested in the birds that share this space when we walk here but the man-made beauty attracted my camera this day.
Charleston, SC, December 2017.
A final image for the year of my favorite pond as the sun was going down last night. This Great Blue Heron was working hard to impress his mate, gathering sticks right up until dark.
