Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 16, 2020
Marsh Scene with GBH
Tag Archives: Summer
Tracing Wheel
I’ve taken hundreds of images of reeds similar to these that are along the edges the various rice field impoundments I frequent, with and without insects, birds and lizards. This image from July shows a line of the tree-like structures of the seed heads and dragonfly.
Earlier this week this stalk caught my eye, the strands somehow stuck together. It reminds me of the Dritz tracing wheel used in sewing to transfer pattern markings. Or the long fingered wheel of a hay rake.
Red Seeds Bursting
These bright red seeds got my attention in a tangle of vegetation on the side of a pond dike.
Following their stem they I couldn’t identify any corresponding leaves.
I wanted to get a different angle but I was not willing to step any further in; biting insects are my biggest concern.
Perhaps this is Texas Mountain Laurel based on a search for “red seeds in pods.”
August 20, 2020
A Hibiscus Blooms
Late one gloomy afternoon the sole bloom on a hibiscus plant on my patio started to open.
About 2 1/2 hours later, the sun was down but the blossom continued to unfurl.
Evidently the spider didn’t care for the changes to his hideaway and he moved on.
The next morning it was raining and even after sunrise I needed to use flash to get a good image.
Raindrops made a nice visual addition.
A few hours later the “star” was fully open.
The next morning, about 40 hours after it started to open, the bloom had completely curled up, done with its show, and promptly fell off.
Wood Stork Walk About
I’ve mentioned that the water has been very high in the old rice field pond at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, which has kept the wading bird population down. Last year’s dredging project left a higher stretch of ground that is now covered with a bit of water and attractive to these birds. The vegetation at the edge was recently mowed providing a nice view.
This group was just standing around when I passed by. Usually it is the Snowy Egrets that make a fuss but this Wood Stork took a turn, at what I do not know.
I left them to it and went around to the other side of the pond. At first I couldn’t see the Stork; his position in the above photos was behind that tall grass. Then he took a walk, leaving those Snowy Egrets behind.
Summer Is For Floating
It was hot. One loan Alligator was visible getting some float time.
August 4, 2020
Black-eyed Susan Trio
A cheery trio
Waving as I wandered by
Summer’s finery
Shelf Fungi
I spotted all three of these fungi just a few yards (meters) apart from the boardwalk crossing a swamp.
The first one struck me as a great spot for a bird or insect to perch although I don’t know how securely it is attached to the tree and no obliging subjects came along to test it out.
The next one was much more delicate, and also could serve as a perch but I suspect it wouldn’t hold up to much weight.
This final group was on a tree facing the one just above, looking like auditorium seating for a performance.
Great Blue Heron in Tidal Marsh
The marsh grasses are full and bright in the middle of August. Bird activity is minimal, breeding is mostly done for the year, juveniles are fending for themselves, and the summer heat is keeping the wildlife tucked in.
Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly
Red was the favorite for this Palamedes Swallowtail as he zipped around the brilliant Lantana blossoms.
This garden area had some orange and pink zinnias and other annuals but this butterfly kept coming back to the red.
Head on images of wildlife rarely end up looking good, but I liked this view with the wings folded and antennae out.
The butterfly then turned a bit to the side showing off his long legs. If you zoom in you can see he’s picked up some pollen in his travels, too.
Click any image for a larger view.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, August 27, 2019.