Leaves and other bits of tree debris merge with the Duck Weed, completely covering the smaller ponds around Magnolia Plantation.
If you didn’t know it was water or didn’t see a duck paddling by you might think it was a solid surface.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2025
Wood Ducks that I’ve encountered tend to be pretty skittish, and often fly before you hardly know they are there. This one surprised me with a gentle flap then he settled back down and paddled along, studiously avoiding getting his head in the sun patch.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2025
I tried Ted’s (tpjphoto.net) OM System OM 1 Mark II camera with the OM System 100-400mm lens yesterday. He’s been using the OM 1 original and the Mark II bodies for a couple of years with great results and is a real fan of the reduced weight. (I’m not sure if Olympus turned OM could have come up with a worse name for these cameras.)
I’ve stuck with Canon, but have started to notice a decrease in quality of my images and questioned if it was me or the gear.
This pair of Wood Ducks crisscrossed a patch of water that was lit by the late afternoon sun reflecting off some golden trees. I was pretty impressed, and yes, new gear is coming my way.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2025
A female Wood Duck and six juveniles were sunning on an alligator ramp in one of the small ponds at Magnolia Plantation that is completely covered in duck weed.
No longer looking like ducklings, if seen individually without the mother with them I might have thought they were full adults.
They grow up fast!
The adult stayed on alert as I passed by, but the youngsters settled in for a rest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 5, 2024
While the Wood Duck family was gathering together this one intrepid duckling struck out on his own. Mama was watchful but she didn’t try to interfere.
Junior didn’t have a care in the world about what might be lurking under the duck weed. I first thought there was an alligator at the bottom of this photo, but it turned out to be a stick.
Might as well test out the wings a bit…
…then right back to the group.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 12, 2024
Several families of Wood Ducks are around the ponds at Audubon Swamp at Magnolia. I’ve mostly seen them paddling in the duck weed but late Sunday afternoon they gathered for a break on a mound of mud and vegetation.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 12, 2024
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 4, 2024
There are Wood Ducks around, but they are almost always heading away from me.
Alligators don’t seem to bother them much.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2023
A couple of male Wood Ducks were patrolling around the recently cleared Audubon Swamp at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. And without the cattail overgrowth they were easy to see.
Not that they came close and seemed determined to not give me the well lit shot I hoped for.
This male was following along his mate and eight or ten offspring.
A wider view, them all heading away from me in the mosquito fern covered pond.
The male was trying to encourage the group to turn back the other way, but the rest of them weren’t having it.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 15, 2023
Our guide on the Santee Delta trip was an excellent bird spotter, and saw this small flock of Wood Ducks coming in for a landing.
Taking pictures of a small moving bird from a small moving boat gives so-so results, but it was fun to see them.
The ducks, or at least one of them, seemed to think they’d better fly right back out.
And of course the rest followed along.
This section of the river was lined with grass and reeds, a perfect spot for Wood Ducks to hang out.
Santee River Trip with Coastal Expeditions
November 8, 2021
View my other Santee Delta trip posts
