Tag Archives: Winter

Flowers

Pink Camellias, And a New Lens

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We bought a new lens for our OM System cameras: the 14-42mm pancake lens. I took it out for a test drive at Magnolia Plantation last week, before the extreme cold and snow visited the low country.

Pink Camellia
Pink Camellia

Winter camellias make excellent subjects and this symmetric pink beauty has always been one of my favorites.

Pink Camellia
Pink Camellia

However, this bold bloom may take over that spot.

Camellia
Camellia

Magnolia remains closed today with temperatures still below freezing, creating ice from any snow that melted yesterday.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 30, 2026

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawks, End of Day

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A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks caught my ear as I was about to head back to my car at the end of the afternoon. Then I spotted them, swooping, then landing at the top of this tree. It looks like there could be some nest material there, although it would be early for them.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

I moved along as the tree was never going to allow a good angle and at a half hour before sundown I didn’t expect any more movement.

Red-shouldered Hawk Landing
Red-shouldered Hawk Landing

I was wrong. The pair came together in a nearby tree with a better vantage point for me.

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

Then they rearranged themselves.

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

Then rearranged themselves again, with one of them flying in a big circle before picking its spot.

Red-shouldered Hawk In Flight
Red-shouldered Hawk In Flight

That was the end of the photo shoot; even with no leaves on the tree there wasn’t going to be a nice side-by-side portrait.

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 7, 2025

Landscape

Pond Scene, December

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It was a foggy start on December 30th at Donnelley WMA.

Double Crested Cormorants, Alligator, Black-crowned Night-heron
Double Crested Cormorants, Alligators, Black-crowned Night-heron

After the fog lifted a few Cormorants were still sitting in the Spoonie Tree and an Alligator was swimming by in the opposite direction. A Black-crowned Night-heron stayed tucked into the grass on the hummock.

Double Crested Cormorants, Alligator, Black-crowned Night-heron
Double Crested Cormorants, Alligator, Black-crowned Night-heron

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30, 2024

Flowers

Unexpected Blooms

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I think this is some kind of a fruit blossom. We’ve had wide varying temperatures, including  some nights below freezing this month. Then we’ve had days in the 70s (21 C) which may have fooled this tree. As we are heading into winter, that nice weather won’t last and these flowers will not produce any fruit.

Fruit Blossom in December
Fruit Blossom in December
Fruit Blossom in December
Fruit Blossom in December

Overall, the tree is not that healthy looking with lots of lichen. I’ll try to remember to check it in the spring and see how it is doing.

Tree Branch with Pink Blossoms
Tree Branch with Pink Blossoms

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 15, 2024