I thought I might see this Anhinga dive and catch a fish. Instead she swam passed me, rhythmically arching her neck back and forth as she propelled forward.
And she dropped lower in the water.
I wondered
how low
would she go? And why didn’t she dive?
She was making steady progress and after a few more beats rose back up a bit and swam out of my sight scoring points for style but not getting any breakfast.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
Rice field canal
August 29, 2021
Hundreds of birds nested on Bird Key this summer and the land and sky were full of activity on this July day.
Most of the birds on land seen here are Brown Pelicans, the smaller white ones are chicks. The chicks were awkwardly walking, but not yet flying. There were lots of Laughing Gulls that provided constant noise, and a few White Ibis mixed in.
On the outer edge of the island, the open Atlantic Ocean beyond, a sand bar has formed that was popular spot for preening.
Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC
July 12, 2021
Danger, danger, fly, fly!
Can you spot the Eagle?
This island has a lot of advantages for nesting birds, but it is not without risk. This time the Eagle appeared to leave without a meal.
About a half hour later it happened again. We were further away from the action and I didn’t capture the Eagle, but this view gives an idea of how many birds are nesting on this little island. And how unconcerned the Pelicans appeared.
Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC
July 12, 2021
The Common Gallinule chicks I saw last week wandered in and out of some pond-side vegetation going through the water, and sometimes just plomping down to rest.
The top of this little one’s head with the orange peaking through reminded me of the old tv ads for spray on hair for men.
The whole family came together after doing some individual exploring.
June 8, 2021
Common Gallinules are in the Rail family, and have feet more like a chicken than a duck.
These juveniles looked a bit awkward when they were resting, with their feet having grown faster than the rest of their bodies.
They had no trouble getting around; I saw them walking through some grass.
And then into shallow water.
June 8, 2021
This Mute Swan appeared to be asleep, soaking up some sun.
At some point while I was watching the Young Great Blue Heron Practice Stalking the swan’s head popped up.
And stayed up until the heron had passed on by.
I had been watching this Black Skimmer work his way around the inlets at Shem Creek at low tide.
I suspect he had a nest nearby as after this pass he took his catch out into the mouth of the creek…
… caught up to…
…and passed a Brown Pelican.
He disappeared from my sight. The Pelican stayed his course, gliding the whole time.
In addition to the cygnets being pretty cute as they learned to feed, watching the constant motion of the parents and the little ones was rather comical.
Bottoms up is the only way for the swans to get the grass in the deeper water, which also shows off their enormous feet.
The cygnets certainly swam a lot further during feeding than the parents, around and around.
Most of the time one adult had a head up and they all stayed pretty close together.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumpter SC
May 20, 2021
Hello world!
A Mute Swan cygnet poked his head out just as I was passing this nest, and was soon followed by a sibling.
They didn’t go very far.
The adult, presumably mother, based on swan behavior, was alert to the squirming around but never shifted her position.
She seemed to be prompting the pair to settle down; I don’t know if there were more young underneath or not.
Excursion over, time to tuck back in.
A staff person told me he thought this pair was about two weeks old.
May 20, 2021
A pair of Black Australian Swan cygnets were learning the ropes of feeding from their parents.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumpter SC
May 20, 2021
