I’m certain he knew I was there. He pretty much gave me ‘that look’.
The bird actually let me move back, and around him to get a better shot.
How often does that happen !
Red-shouldered
Category Archives: Birds
Young Great Blue Heron
I spotted this Heron near the Ashley River, in an old rice field.
The coloring and feathers led me to believe this is a first year bird.
There are no long chest feathers, even outside mating season there are still a few. Also the head feathers look very short and smooth.
A guess, this is a bird from down river where there is a Heron rookery.
Chasing Tiny Fish, Snowy Egret
The shallows here erupted with schools of tiny minnows.
This Snowy Egret lost all sense of style and grace, instead he charged and chased them wildly.
The waters surface was bubbling with the activity.
I have no idea how many he caught but just on sheer perseverance it must have been plenty.
Last I saw he was still running and grabbing off into the marsh grass.
In general, a great show.
Ibis Slip By
Up until these shots I was having a good day getting sequences of White Ibis in flight.
These two came past so fast, or I wasn’t looking, that I only captured a single image of both.
The sky was dull and shooting high speed with a long lens means focus issues. I thought I had it all figured out until these guys.
Shake It Off, Tricolored Heron
A dark and damp day at this salt marsh. It wasn’t raining but it just felt wet.
If you are walking around in the windy water, you are wet.
The smaller wading birds were chasing after schools of minnows.
This was a great angle to get the small Heron in action.
Click any image for full size. The feathering details came out great.
Shake It Off, Tricolored Heron
Shake It Off, Tricolored Heron
Shake It Off, Tricolored Heron
Shake It Off, Tricolored Heron
At His Spot On This Dike, Heron
Most days this Great Blue will be around here.
Fishing must be good.
If it’s a slow day here, he can turn around and walk about 10 steps.
The river is on the other side of the dike.
Great Egret, A Barrier Island
Coastal South Carolina has a series of small islands, barrier islands, that run along the coast line. Some are close to the mainland, only small marshes between them, others are further out.
Wildlife preserves on some islands, here Cat Island, allow visits only at prearranged times, with rangers as guides.
While the state of South Carolina has it’s share of problems, wildlife preservation and conservation is among the best in the US.
Double-crested Cormorant, Portraits
I walked by, he sat and watched me.
My lens was really too big for this close but I didn’t think it was a good idea to swap out while sharing the space with him.
The bird was sitting on a cross beam of a wooden trunk apparently quite comfortable. Any other time I would never get this close, it would be invading his space. I’m pretty sure he invaded my space!
I did get the ‘keep walking along’ look from him though.
Checking around for any fish was the primary focus.
This was the first time being close enough to see the unique pattern around the eyes. Really pretty.
