He has a few preferred spots. I was standing in one of them. If everyone minds their own business he will join you.
I was standing talking to at least 3 other photographers at this time. We continued our conversation, he grabbed some tiny little fish.
All was good.
The title is a little misleading. I was on the front steps, which is now the back, shooting the historical scene in front of me.
The original entrance to the properties is on a side street off Charlestons well known Meeting Street.
The spire in the background is the beautiful Second Presbyterian Church (built in 1811). The house in the fore looks to be a renovated property that one may have been part of the Manigault holdings.
The Egret was quietly moving around in a dark location here, so I thought a nice shot would be easy.
So of course he waited until I had walked down, last minute jumped and moved on. I did get a few shots though.
Click, or double tap, any image below to view the gallery.
We were determined to be at the far end, on a dike, by sunrise. No matter how early we rise or our good intentions we are always late.
This morning we hit the start of the 4 mile (6.4 k ) dirt road with just enough time to do it this time.
And then we looked out the window driving by this open water.
Stop short, jump out, shoot, back in and gone.
We made it this time.
Of course the fog beat us there.
I shot many old remote cemeteries in New England. It was one of my favorite subjects. Now in the Lowcountry cemeteries have taken on a whole new flavor.
Surprising they just as old, if not older, than what I was accustomed to you. Here they have a completely different character. They are still off the beaten track, yet Palms, Moss, and marshlands are included.
These head stones are from the center of town in the Unitarian grave yards down a small typical alleyway. They are cared for in a unique over grown state.
At dark it’s mystical.
This is the time Great Blue Heron pairs bond. When either returns to the nest they are greeted by the other. At times they seem to hug.
We see many other species pair, bond, and raise young here. None have the quality and interaction of the Great Blues.
Once young hatch the rules change. Food must be hunted, and very young ones protected. What was once bonding now turns into loud disagreements.
I try to not project any human traits on the animals out there. It’s wild and violent. But it can be really hard when working with the Herons.
If you visit here over time you will see what I mean. There should be many more images like this.
The Anhinga stay in the swamps late winter through the following fall, not quite all year (some do stay). I think they push out the Cormorants when they arrive.
Besides being photogenic it means spring is near. They breed here. They also breed very ugly, freaky looking babies.
My opinion.
All the photographs here are best viewed large. It was foggy after all, so details were sketchy at best.
I did manage a few images before the one above. Borderline quality and probably never see the light of day. The distance and fog here made this landscape worthwhile.
Double-crested Cormorants took over the ‘spoony’ tree. Here again the weather made for a different look than I usually see.
And of course the winter colors here in low light can be stunning.
Doesn’t hurt to have some big pink birds in the fore either.
