This Oak Tree was nearly bare, giving me a good view of a Female Anhinga and a bit of color from the few remaining leaves.
Can you do this with your neck?
Easy stuff for the very flexible Anhinga.
Female Anhinga In An Oak Tree
Tag Archives: Water Bird
I’m Not Going To Look
What’s a Great Blue Heron to think when two gigantic American White Pelicans paddle into his space?
Don’t look, maybe they won’t see me.
Still not looking.
I’ll just turn a little.
Blue Anhinga, And Turtle
Brown Pelican – Just Touching The Creek
Experts at riding air currents, Brown Pelicans are mesmerizing to watch.
This section of Shem Creek has piers on both sides that seemed to block the wind and the Pelicans stayed very close to the water.
Occasionally one would graze the water with just one wing.
Anhinga Swimming Freestyle
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
Bird Chaos at Bird Key
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
Gulls Took To The Air
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
Common Gallinule Chicks
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
Got Feet?
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
Mute Swan
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.
