He started out with a couple of leaves that he quickly discarded.
Then he pulled on some vines that were firmly attached.
Hmm, lets take a break.
Trying this again…
More pulling and yanking did not provide a different result: the vines were staying put.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
An immature Wood Stork still sporting some fuzzy feathers on his head provided me with left and right profile views while a young White Ibis looked on.
Titusville Road, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
February 25, 2026
Recently the image stabilization feature quit working on my long time Canon 18-200mm lens so I got another used one. We went to Magnolia Cemetery to test it out and I was delighted to get to use it on some Wood Storks perched just off the road.
The tree was a classic southern specimen with Resurrection Fern and Spanish Moss.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
October 19, 2025
Canon 18-200mm lens, replacement, used–first time out.
Wood Storks continuously joined the crowd, circling over head then dropping all around the area where others were feeding. This one was close enough and at a good angle for me to catch his landing.
Lodge Pond, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
A few more images from September 1, when we saw several hundred wading birds, mostly Wood Storks with a big sprinkling of Roseate Spoonbills.
Normally this area is covered with 1 to 2 feet ( 0.5 meters) of water, too deep for these wading birds.
A few of the birds were still feeding, but most were just standing around at this point.
Or idly pacing around.
A wider view shows the stream that was left behind as the pond drained.
Lodge Pond, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
This scene unfolded on the back side of Lodge Pond where a pool of water formed as the pond drained.
Wading birds follow the food, and they are not bothered by the presence of Alligators.
Although maybe the Snowy Egret center front should have been.
The Alligators were actually chewing on whatever they found in the water but I have seen them snap at and catch a bird.
All good for the Snowy, this time!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Back and forth, following the food, and each other, a group of Roseate Spoonbills was feeding up against a hummock in Lodge Pond.
A few Wood Storks were at the edge of the group, sticking to the shadows.
Then, following a leader on some secret signal, all the Spoonbills walked onto the exposed grass…
…and crossed to the open water on the other side…
…paying no attention to the alligators.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Some days there are no birds in view; some days are like this!
We were here August 21, the water was high, and we saw a total of six birds.
Yesterday (September 1) the water had been let out of Lodge Pond leaving these streams with a concentrated food source for wading birds that feel for their prey.
There were hundreds of Wood Storks, at least fifty Roseate Spoonbills, and a sprinkling of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets taking advantage of the easy eating.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
I love Wood Storks and the gnarly trees around the pond at Magnolia Cemetery. Yesterday, they made a great combo.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 14, 2025
Three Wood Stork chicks were standing around with adult supervision–sort of.
The chicks were in constant motion. The adult didn’t seem to move even a smidge.
A little bit closer view–you can see the feathers are developing in size and starting to get darker feathers along the wing edge.
The Great Egret chick in the background perked up, perhaps a parent was on its way with food.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 23, 2025
