Category Archives: Birds

Birds, Marsh, OM System, Pelican, Wildlife

First Shots In A While, White Pelicans

December 1, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

I walked past some high reeds and grass to the beginning of an old rice field. This was the first shot of the day, and first of these big guys in almost a year.

I didn’t count the numbers, it was fluid anyway as they came and went. However, at one time there were maybe 50-70 in the marsh and old rice fields.

One of the biggest birds in North America. They are as long as the Trumpeter Swan, wing span like a Condor. Their weight can range between 7.7 and 30 lb (3.5 and 13.6 kg).

ACE Basin, South Carolina.

Birds, OM System, Swamp, Wildlife

Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk

December 1, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

Sitting up on top of a dead tree, looking over a swampy wetlands. He did his best to pretend we weren’t there. Down below were all types of snacks. He just needed to be patient.

I never did see him drop down.

On this morning we must have seen at least five different hawks. Only two looked to be a pair.

Birds, Heron, Marsh, OM System, Wildlife

Great Blue Heron

December 1, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

A Great Blue Heron working his way through a cut at low tide.

The earthen wall behind him will be completely under water when the tide is back in. And, this tide comes in very quick. Once high tide hits there is no fishing here until the water turns again.

Birds, OM System, Shore Bird, Swamp, Wildlife

White Ibis

November 30, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

White Ibis and somehow still clean.

There is a stretch of back swamp that has become home to a few flocks of Ibis. They poked and dig the shallows for frogs and crayfish. Successful here too.

If you can catch them in an open spot, away from all the branches, they make for interesting photos.

Birds, Black And White Photography, Monochrome, OM System, Swamp, Wildlife

Black And White Anhinga

November 30, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

Low light and a low contrast background, so B&W was the best option.

I knew that from the start and made a point of shooting images that should be silhouettes. That was the plan, I’ll know better when I load all the photographs.

Birds, Charleston, OM System, Swamp, Wildlife

Sometimes They Are Hard To Spot, Hawk

November 30, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 6 Comments

When a Red-shouldered Hawk is in the deeper swamp, mixed in with Spanish Moss, they are perfectly camouflaged.

Every day we miss at least one great opportunity because they were watching us the whole time.

I thought this was an interesting and different type of hawk photograph. Of course next step is to see if there is a different angle (without wading through a swamp).

Birds, Marsh, OM System, Spoonbill, Wildlife

Posing Roseate Spoonbill

November 29, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

It’s not a great time of year to photo the Spoonbills. Most of the time they are wandering around in the muck and mud.

We did lucky last week though. Still plenty of mud shots, but a few roosting up higher.

Birds, Charleston, OM System, Swamp, Wildlife

Red-bellied Woodpecker

November 29, 2023 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

A few more photographs of a smaller bird in a swamp.

Common here is the Red-bellied Woodpecker. It’s time for the birds to stock up on winter food so it’s not surprising to see this one carrying some sort of nut.

Woodpeckers will hide food in crevices, tree bark, and some create a series of holes to fill. Apparently they do remember where they have their food stored.