This Wood Stork wasn’t going very far so he stayed low giving me a nice view and an almost perfect reflection.
The sunlight was perfect to highlight the iridescent greens on his wing tips.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
With a wingspan around five feet (1.5 meters) the Wood Stork is neat to watch land.
This one was looking for sticks to take to his nest, but first he had to negotiate a touch down.
On the down beat you can see the green-black highlights in his wing.
He did successfully land but did not find any of these twigs to his liking and quickly moved on.
March 6, 2022
Wood Storks often feed in packs, probing the water with their beaks and stirring up all manor of water creatures. It’s hard to say what it might be, but you can see the tiny size of the catch the closest bird is tossing.
An optical illusion here, of the first Wood Stork scratching the next one’s head.
The group wades along, often swallowing their prey without even lifting their heads.
Another small catch is visible as the left-most bird gives his snack a flip.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021
Wood Storks have a wingspan of 60 to 70 inches  (150-175 cm) and despite their overall prehistoric look they are quite elegant flyers.
He wasn’t going far, so he stayed low over the marsh grass.
In the right light you can see the pretty green tones in the Wood Stork’s dark feathers.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021
Or more importantly, follow lunch. The wading birds in the rear often reap the benefits of a meal stirred up by those in the lead.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 29, 2021
Another view of a recent wading bird gathering.
More from Sunday… These birds were too far away to get clear images of their action and the water was dark, but they were fun to watch.
The Wood Stork in the middle with his wings out was trying to take a bath.
The water really wasn’t deep enough, but he kept splashing it around, along with some mud.
A few Roseate Spoonbills were busy feeding around the Wood Storks.
The tide was coming in and their window of opportunity to feed is narrow, based on the depth of the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 29, 2021
More images of the Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills from Sunday.
The Spoonbill on the right looked ready to take a nap.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 29, 2021
