The tide was in and water in the ponds was high so the wading birds were taking spots in the trees.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 5, 2025
Wading Birds Overhead
Tag Archives: Wading Birds
Feeding Chaos
This scene unfolded on the back side of Lodge Pond where a pool of water formed as the pond drained.
Wading birds follow the food, and they are not bothered by the presence of Alligators.
Although maybe the Snowy Egret center front should have been.
The Alligators were actually chewing on whatever they found in the water but I have seen them snap at and catch a bird.
All good for the Snowy, this time!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Roseate Spoonbill Leapfrog
Sometimes birds just make me laugh.
Usually it is the Snowy Egrets with comical behavior but this time a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding away from the bigger group and seemed to have something to say.
Then he took a short-hop flight over the Snowy Egret.
Landed with more drama…
…then took a walk.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Spoonbills On The Move
Back and forth, following the food, and each other, a group of Roseate Spoonbills was feeding up against a hummock in Lodge Pond.
A few Wood Storks were at the edge of the group, sticking to the shadows.
Then, following a leader on some secret signal, all the Spoonbills walked onto the exposed grass…
…and crossed to the open water on the other side…
…paying no attention to the alligators.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Wading Birds Follow The Leader
Wading birds often follow each other, presuming that the leader has spotted some food.
A Snowy Egret that landing in the grass near the bank of the pond attracted a Great Egret.
That was then followed by another Snowy Egret…
…photo bombing the Great Egret. Or maybe vice-versa.
I didn’t see any of them get anything to eat.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 19, 2025
Great Blue Heron at Boat Pond
The repairs to the dike between the boat pond and the Ashley River at Magnolia Plantation have been completed. The water level is back up and some wading birds have started to feed at the edges. I was busy watching a Snowy Egret when this Great Blue Heron landed near me.
Pretty soon he dropped down into the pond.
His one attempt at catching some lunch yielded nothing.
He didn’t stay long…maybe the grass was greener on the other bank.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 19, 2025
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
Roseate Spoonbill, Smooth Tree Landing
The incoming Roseate Spoonbill did stick his landing, but it easily could have ended differently. The Spoonbill on the lower branch never doubted, or didn’t care.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2024
Snowy Egret
There hasn’t been much action in Perry Pond with the water high, but a few Snowy Egrets were staking a claim.
This one, closer to shore, was hunting by stirring the water with his feet.
Slowly moving forward, hoping some small fish or crustacean would show itself.
He didn’t have much luck and decided to move on.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 23, 2024
Great Blue Heron and Chicks, Skinny Tree Nest
The “skinny tree” is hosting a Great Blue Heron nest again this year.
Two chicks are sharing the space which seems very small compared to some other years.
That doesn’t stop them from exploring their new world, chewing on each other when not pestering mom to get fed.
She was ignoring them while I was watching, and soon after this the little ones settled back down out of my sight.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2024