Tag Archives: South Carolina

Flowers

Tulip Magnolia, Another Variety

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Or perhaps “Saucer Magnolia” depending on where you look. Google quickly overwhelmed me with information in my search for how many varieties there might be. I’ll just say this particular tree has huge blossoms, 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) across, and they have a more delicate coloring than those in my post Tulip Magnolias in Bloom.

Tulip Magnolia Blossom
Tulip Magnolia Blossom

These blossoms didn’t seem to have the outer fuzzy covering as other tulip magnolias I have seen.

Tulip Magnolia Blossom
Tulip Magnolia Blossom

The blossoms emitted a sweet, but not overwhelming, fragrance. Some other varieties I have encountered could almost be said to stink.

Tulip Magnolia Blossom
Tulip Magnolia Blossom

Many Azaleas are also in bloom in this area and these made a nice backdrop to another unopened bloom.

Tulip Magnolia Blossom in Front of Azalea
Tulip Magnolia Blossom in Front of Azalea

Taken March 13, 2019.

Water Birds

Tundra Swans Through Fog

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The Tundra Swans are still hanging out at Bear Island Wildlife Management Area although local lore says they will be heading north any day now.  A flock averaging 300 of these Swans has been coming to this area every winter since the mid 1970s.

On this morning the fog was dense and the air perfectly still. The gnats almost carried us off. The water level in this pond is low and these Swans were wading or sitting in mud rather than swimming.

Tundra Swans in Fog
Tundra Swans in Fog

A few took off and disappeared into the fog before I could even focus on them.

Tundra Swans in Fog
Tundra Swans in Fog

Taken 3/3/2019

Landscape

Orange and Gold at the Back of the Dike

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The reflections were like a pot of gold in the back corner of the canal that runs along the rice field dike. The dike and canal make a 90 degree turn at this corner, and then the water widens off to the left into a pond. There was a little breeze ruffling the water surface in the more open area.

Orange and Gold Reflecting in the Canal
Orange and Gold Reflecting in the Canal

Taken about a half hour later, this view is towards that same line of trees from a bend in the dike. A few Great Blue Herons have been using the clumps of reeds sticking out from the bank as fishing and sunning spots.

Orange and Gold Reflecting in the Canal
Orange and Gold Reflecting in the Canal
Water Birds

Skimming In The Surf

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Previously I have seen Black Skimmers skimming on calm ponds. On this day I saw a few from this crowd doing it in the ocean.

Black Skimmers at Surf's Edge
Black Skimmers at Surf’s Edge

As you can see above the Atlantic Ocean surf was not particularly rough, but it sure is a different challenge for a Skimmer.

Black Skimmer Skimming past Tern
Black Skimmer Skimming past Tern

This one hugged the surf line, ignoring other birds along the way.

Black Skimmer Skimming in Ocean Surf
Black Skimmer Skimming in Ocean Surf, Sand Piper in Foreground

With the surf in constant motion he had to also alter his path. I did not see him catch anything, although they can gulp it down on the fly and keep on moving.

Black Skimmer Skimming in Ocean Surf
Black Skimmer Skimming in Ocean Surf