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
Wood Stork on a mission.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 25, 2025
An interesting view of the nest structure.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 7, 2025
Cypress Wetlands is hosting lots of Wood Stork nests this season and there are good views into a few of them.
The chicks were in constant motion, figuring out how to manipulate their gangly bodies.
Another visible nest had three chicks, although I only got photos of two at a time. The parents were intent on their own grooming.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 7, 2025
The Wood Stork broke a small branch off a tree and took it on a gliding path back to his nest.
Wingspan 59.1-68.9 in (150-175 cm)
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 25, 2025
Wood Storks were flying all around the rookery as they gathered nesting materials from the nearby trees. Their size means they often have to circle around a time or two to get lined up with their target.
Wingspan 59.1-68.9 in (150-175 cm)
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 25, 2025
A small flock of Wood Storks was feeding in the shallow water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA.
Another Stork dropped in…
…made a somewhat graceful landing…
…one more step…
…then immediately started to feed.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
