It was a foggy start to the day and I watched this Pied-billed Grebe paddle back and forth through the reflections recreated by trees on the opposite bank.
The shot of him in the most colorful reflection eluded me.
He did treat me to a few butt views as he dove, but then he popped right back up.
They were too far away for me to really see what this pair of Laughing Gulls was doing, but from the intense pursuit food seemed the likely inspiration.
They put on quite an acrobatic show.
Flying upside down, and hanging onto the fish…
They kept on moving, beyond where I could photograph them. I’m not sure either one got a meal out of their adventure.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
While I was walking down the dike the Anhinga on an Old Wharf Piling went for a swim. Just as I came back he was drying off.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 12, 2022
These three pilings are used frequently by a variety of birds at Magnolia Plantation’s boat pond, including this Anhinga, drying off in the sun.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 12, 2022
A few Common Gallinule chicks were paddling around at the edge of Mary’s House Pond. They moved out into the water a bit as I drove by and I captured these out the car window.
This one seemed to suddenly realize his mates had moved off without him.
Wait for me!
Where’d they go?
An adult wasn’t far off, showing how to get a meal.
Safety in numbers, the family stuck pretty close together.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 31, 2022
My apologies if anyone gets notice of this post twice. I picked the wrong post to schedule, after this had already posted, and now can’t undo it. 🙃
We often refer to Common Gallinules as the early warning system. Any bird in the area who didn’t know we are coming does after what All About Birds describes as
“all sorts of chickenlike clucks, whinnies, cackles, squawks, and yelps. They often call while hidden from view, leaving you wondering what lurks in the marsh. The rapid series of clucks sounds vaguely raptorlike, but the series often ends with what sounds like a laugh.”
The clatter is often accompanied by or followed by them running across the water. The whole business is quite startling for all concerned.
This young bird appeared to be trying out his vocal skills, but I never heard a peep.
Mom just paddled along, saving the water running for another lesson.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 29, 2022
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 29, 2022
I hardly knew which way to look when this flock of Black Skimmers was actively feeding.
The sun was just up, but behind a cloud bank so the light was dim.
This entire pond is normally under water, but was drained for a couple of weeks to help control vegetation.
This has a bonus effect for feeding birds as any fish are concentrated in a smaller pool of water.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
A Common Gallinule chick exploring on his own
May 9, 2022
There is not much I can say about these, except that I am fascinated by the Black Skimmers, so here are a few more images of them doing their thing.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
