Tag Archives: Spoonie Tree

Belted Kingfisher On The Move

You often hear a Belted Kingfisher before you see it, with a distinctive chatter as they swoop over ponds or marshes looking for a fish lunch.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

This one landed in the Spoonie Tree, too far for a good photo of such a small bird, but a picturesque scene.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher In The Spoonie Tree

A little while later one that was clearly on a mission passed me as I walked along a dike.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

And then he landed in another artful looking dead tree, creating an unmistakable silhouette.

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 2, 2023

The Spoonie Tree, August 2023

I’ve been posting about the slow demise of the Spoonie Tree for a couple of years and remain amazed that it is still standing. I took this image on Sunday, before Hurricane Idalia passed by.

The Spoonie Tree, August 27, 2023
The Spoonie Tree, August 27, 2023, occupied by a Great Egret and a Belted Kingfisher

Compare that to this image, taken in April when the water had been let out of the pond. The main limbs are still there but some of the smaller branches are gone and more of the bark has dropped.

The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023
The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC

The Spoonie Tree, Slowly It Tilts, 2023 Update

I’ve been posting about the slow demise of the Spoonie Tree for a couple of years. I stopped by on a quiet day at the end of February.

The Spoonie Tree With Cormorants, February 28, 2023,
The Spoonie Tree With Cormorants, February 28, 2023

A few Double-crested Cormorants were the only birds around and the scenery was mostly brown.

The Spoonie Tree With Cormorants, February 28, 2023,
The Spoonie Tree With Cormorants, February 28, 2023

I was reminded I had taken those shots and not processed them when I was there last week. I was  rather surprised that none of the wading birds took a break from feeding in the name-sake Spoonie Tree.

The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023
The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023

Those that flew off after eating went into some trees further back in the pond.

The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023
The Spoonie Tree, April 2, 2023

The tree lost a branch, but it is mostly intact compared to this image from May 2022.

The Spoonie Tree, May 9, 2022
The Spoonie Tree, May 9, 2022, A Turkey Vulture and two Black Vultures

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC

Kingfisher On the Spoonie Tree

There are almost always a Belted Kingfisher or two swooping around the ponds at Donnelley WMA. This morning I thought I was going to get a real close up of one on a rice field trunk. Ha!

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

Before I could even get my camera to eye level she was gone.

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

I did track her across the pond.

Belted Kingfisher Flying By
Belted Kingfisher Flying By

Where she landed on the Spoonie Tree…way to far for a good shot, but she did stop moving!

Belted Kingfisher at top of Spoonie Tree
Belted Kingfisher at top of Spoonie Tree

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022

Everyone Has A Spot

The Snowy Egret and the Spoonbill took a break from harassing each other while the Great Egret was doing his own thing.

The Spoonie Tree:
The Spoonie Tree: Snowy Egret Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret, Alligators at the base

A closer look at the Alligators: it was warming up and they were looking for sunny spots out of the water.

Alligators Below the Spoonie Tree
Alligators Below the Spoonie Tree

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022

Lone Roseate Spoonbill in the Spoonie Tree

The Spoonie Tree is still standing, and a single Roseate Spoonbill was perched there on my last visit.

Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree
Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree, Alligator on the hummock to right of Pokeberry

I took a walk down the dike and an hour later he was still there, and still alone.

Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree
Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree

Just checking things out.

Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree
Roseate Spoonbill In the Spoonie Tree

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022