Tag Archives: Spoonie Tree

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

The Spoonie Tree, Slowly It Tilts, Update

I last posted about this slow collapse at the beginning of November, 2021.

Here’s a repeat of the last image from that post.

The Spoonie Tree, October 17
The Spoonie Tree, October 17, 2021, An Alligator visible at the base of the grass

I’m hoping the tree will stay around even after it collapses  to serve as a perch for the wading and water birds.

The Spoonie Tree
The Spoonie Tree, November 14, 2021, Several Alligators visible at the base

This spring the pond was allowed to dry as part of a vegetation management protocol.

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

A wider view–I believe those logs are palm tree trunks. They have been laying there, usually submerged, for at least the five  years I’ve been going to Donnelley.

The Spoonie Tree, May 9, 2022
The Spoonie Tree, May 9, 2022

Then with the water back in a few weeks later.

The Spoonie Tree, May 26, 2022
The Spoonie Tree, May 26, 2022

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC

Roseate Spoonbill With a Stick

This Roseate Spoonbill really wanted to sit in the Spoony Tree with his stick. I didn’t see him arrive, but think he just flew up from underneath the tree.

Roseate Spoonbill With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill With Stick In the Spoonie Tree

Who knows why, it’s not breeding season yet and he doesn’t look like he’s of breeding age based on still having pin feathers on his head.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

He took off when the Cormorants started squawking at him.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

The Anhinga was not impressed when he came right back.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

He headed across the dike, where he promptly landed in the mudflats and abandoned the stick for some fishing.

Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021