If you look out to the buoy and see a shrimper returning to port, like this one, immediately it’s a battery and memory card check.

Look at all the birds. Better yet, this is a small sampling because others are coming in from all directions. The dinner bell has been rung.

As soon as the nets are pulled in the next chore is cleaning and sorting the catch. Shrimp and fish that are not to be sold go overboard.

Even the Great Egrets fly out to sea for the ride back in.

The next hour or so all these birds, and a few hundred more compete for fish and shrimp. The crew fight some off, ultimately give up, and then  just go about their business.

Some Pelicans become pirates and raid the ship, climb in the holding tanks, and in general steal anything not nailed down.

Of course Ellen and I set up just across from the commercial dock to photograph the chaos.

I have no idea how I am going to sort through the days shoot.

Charleston Harbor.