Yes, this dead tree is still standing, well more like listing.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 21, 2025
Spoonie Tree Through The Fog
Tag Archives: Spoonie Tree
Roseate Spoonbills in the Spoonie Tree
A few Roseate Spoonbills continue to come and go around the big pond at Donnelley WMA.
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
Pond Scene, December
It was a foggy start on December 30th at Donnelley WMA.
After the fog lifted a few Cormorants were still sitting in the Spoonie Tree and an Alligator was swimming by in the opposite direction. A Black-crowned Night-heron stayed tucked into the grass on the hummock.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024
Cormorants In The Fog
Double Crested Cormorants were all around on this foggy morning.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024
Fall Colors Around the Pond
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.
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
Egrets in the Spoonie Tree
It was looking like fall, with the grasses fading to brown and the sun much lower in the sky on a recent morning at Donnelley WMA. The water was high in the big pond so wading birds were not feeding. A single Great Egret preened on one end of the Spoonie Tree.
And a Snow Egret posed in the sun on the other end.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2024
Spoonie Tree and Alligators
The “Spoonie Tree” continues to decline, and in July the water was lowered in the pond exposing its roots. For several years I have thought that this will be the year that this tree finally topples, but there it stands. The first picture I can find that I took of the tree, from October 2017, the tree was far from healthy, but still living.
On this hot July day the alligators were out in force, mostly just floating around mid-day when we stopped by.
There was a Belted Kingfisher perched atop the tree, while all the wading birds stayed to the back of the pond as seen above.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 21, 2024
Cormorants Out On A Limb
And check out those feet!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 15, 2024
Cormorants in the Spoonie Tree
Yes, the Spoonie Tree is still upright!
And on this morning the reflections were mirror-perfect.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 15, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill in the Spoonie Tree
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.
After the Landing in the Spoonie Tree, this one settled in then the preening commenced:
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 4, 2023