Tag Archives: Spoonbill Tree

Great Egret and Alligators at the Base of Spoonie Tree

October 13, 2026 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

Wind was whipping up the water and bird feathers at Donnelly on Monday. This Great Egret was perched on the base of the now fallen Spoonie Tree.

Great Egret, Two Alligators — Great Egret, Alligator snout

I moved along the dike and got a couple more views, not seeing those massive Alligators until looking through my pictures at home.

I think of Alligators as wanting to stay out of the wind especially on a day below 75 degrees F (24 C) , but there were many laying around on the pond banks soaking up the sun.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 12, 2026

Landscape

The Spoonie Tree Finally Tipped Over

August 22, 2026 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

I’ve watched this tree slowly tilt for many years. It was upright at our last visit in June, when there wasn’t much going on but I did take one shot of the tree:

Sometime between then and August 9 it tipped over.

The Spoonie Tree, August 9, 2026: Snowy Egret, Cormorant, and Great Egret

Hopefully it will continue to provide a bird soap box for years.

The Spoonie Tree, Cormorant and Great Egret

A few posts documenting the tree’s demise:

February 2024: Cormorants in the Spoonie Tree

August 2023: The Spoonie Tree, August 2023

November 2021: The Spoonie Tree, Slowly It Tilts

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 9, 2026

Landscape

Spoonie Tree Through The Fog

February 24, 2026 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

Yes, this dead tree is still standing, well more like listing.

Spoonie Tree Through The Fog, Grackle and Snowy Egret

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 21, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill, Landing, Oops–Not Landing

August 3, 2025 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I spotted this Roseate Spoonbill heading towards the Spoonie Tree, looking to make a graceful landing.

Or so I thought…

For no reason that was apparent to me, he just kept on going…

…and going…

I waited patiently and he circled back…

and executed a successful touchdown.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 2, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbills in the Spoonie Tree

April 30, 2025 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

A few Roseate Spoonbills continue to come and go around the big pond at Donnelley WMA.

The Spoonie Tree, Three Roseate Spoonbills

Vegetation is really greening up in and around the pond.

Last week the water was low so the base of the “Spoonie Tree” was fully exposed. And yes, I remain amazed that the tree is still standing.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 25, 2025

Landscape, Wading Birds

Fall Colors Around the Pond

November 23, 2024 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The season is changing, looking more like autumn each day.

This was at the end of October when the changing hues of the grasses made a nice backdrop.

Great Egret and Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

The water level in the pond was quite high. We’ve heard there is a plan to lower it sometime this month which will attract more birds with easier feeding opportunities.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 30, 2024

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill in the Spoonie Tree

December 11, 2023 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

There’s not much more I can say about the Roseate Spoonbill, other than that I like them… the color, that crazy looking bill, and what a delight it is to see them in South Carolina.