Pond vegetation and reflections.
Reflections, Dew Drops, Pond Vegetation
Tag Archives: Spring
Great Blue Heron Greeting
This nesting pair of Great Blue Herons gave an affectionate greeting when one returned to the nest.
Great Egret
A few Great Egrets have started nests in different spots this spring, including this one that is between the trail and the pond edge. Time will tell if this turns out to be a viable spot to raise Egret chicks.
The Long White Bridge, Backside
After walking the dike I came up the back side of the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and was pleased to see azaleas making a statement.
Dragonfly Season Begins
And there it was, hovering right in front of me over the pond. My shutter speed was only 1/800 but I took it any way as this was the first dragonfly I’ve seen this year. He stayed around a bit but my subsequent efforts at a higher speed weren’t as good as this one.
Nearby a second dragonfly, perhaps an Eastern Pondhawk, kept returning to this log, looking like he’s not quite ready for action.
With spring just beginning there will be ample opportunity for some better images of these curious creatures.
Just to round out the scene, here’s the log with the dragonfly about 2/3 of the way back.
March 18, 2020
Red-shouldered Hawk, Lacy Background
Some greenery is starting to sprout but most leaves aren’t out enough to block the view of perched birds. This Red-shouldered Hawk was patiently waiting to spot his next meal in the pond below.
Great Blue Heron Kerfuffle
These two Great Blue Herons flew onto the path all riled up about something, likely a territory dispute.
The one in the rear was advancing with a menacing posture. I got to the edge of the path and backed away from them, trying to let them do their thing.
Mr. Puffy veered off towards the pond on the left while The Strutter came closer to me.
Mr. Puffy, just seen through the greenery, continued towards the pond while The Strutter increased the distance between them before moving to the edge of the pond.
Purple Flower
These delicate purple flowers were blooming under a tree along a path to a nature trail. There is an abandoned house nearby so these could be a remnant of long ago garden.
The sun was just coming onto this patch and the blooms were in various stages of opening.
This one had spread a dusting of pollen.
Here’s a wider view with more of the foliage.
Prothonotary Warbler in the Forest
The Prothonotary Warblers have returned to my area. Often you hear them before seeing them, even with this brilliant yellow.
These images were taken at Beidler Forest which has many of the features these warblers like: tree cavities for nesting, damp forest floor, dense undergrowth and both standing and slow moving water.
As I was leaving for the day one final Prothonotary Warbler crossed my path and perched on an open, if dimly lit, branch for a few moments.
Wild Pink
Wild flowers have been allowed to grow unmolested by the lawnmower at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston and this morning there were more types than I ever remember seeing there. A nice patch of these pink beauties, perhaps some kind of mallow, caught my eye.
A single bloom off on its own shows delicate pink shades.
The ground was dry and after scanning for snakes, ants and other creatures I got down on the ground for a few images
Click any image for a larger view.