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!
Before I could even get my camera to eye level she was gone.
I did track her across the pond.
Where she landed on the Spoonie Tree…way to far for a good shot, but she did stop moving!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 26, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
The Snowy Egret and the Spoonbill took a break from harassing each other while the Great Egret was doing his own thing.
A closer look at the Alligators: it was warming up and they were looking for sunny spots out of the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
The Spoonie Tree is still standing, and a single Roseate Spoonbill was perched there on my last visit.
I took a walk down the dike and an hour later he was still there, and still alone.
Just checking things out.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
I last posted about this slow collapse at the beginning of November, 2021.
Here’s a repeat of the last image from that post.
I’m hoping the tree will stay around even after it collapses to serve as a perch for the wading and water birds.
This spring the pond was allowed to dry as part of a vegetation management protocol.
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.
Then with the water back in a few weeks later.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
The Spoonie Tree was a gathering spot, both above and below on this late November day:
Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron, Alligators
Donnelley Wildlife Managment Area, SC
November 27, 2021
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.
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.
He took off when the Cormorants started squawking at him.
The Anhinga was not impressed when he came right back.
He headed across the dike, where he promptly landed in the mudflats and abandoned the stick for some fishing.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021
