This nest site is always one of the most photographed spots each year.
The Herons (and Egrets) like it, stands alone in the swamp, and very close to the trails.
Of course it gets lots of attention.
Great Blue Heron
Category Archives: Marsh
Construction Work, Herons
Last year this was actually two nests, almost on top of each other.
It may stay two nests. Great Egrets nest closer to each other so these may have been Egrets sites last year.
After the top is complete another Great Blue may take the lower limb.
Carolina Chickadee
This was an enthusiastic little guy.
He was pulling the cattails apart in search of seeds.
In a few places near the local rookery the marshes have changed over to thick growth, and thousands of cattails. While it’s the end of a marsh it does offer different wildlife food and shelter.
Lately the Chickadee and other small birds have taken over.
In the past I walked by here without really looking very hard. We go a lot slower now.
Portrait, Roseate Spoonbill
Winter is upon us, even more than is usual.
I think this Spoonbill, and his pink friends will suddenly learn how to move south for warmer weather. That’s something many have not done but cold rain, maybe even sleet, is expected in the next day.
This might be the last Spoonbill portrait for a while.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Herons In The Cold
Cold here is up for debate most times. But if you are just sitting on top of a tree, it’s cold.
Great Blue Herons.
Pelican Take Off
The bigger the White Pelican the harder it is for them to get in the air. Given an option they skip along the surface getting up some speed.
In these photographs you can see all the splashes his feet made. It was a lot of work.
Finally a big push and jump got him airborne.
I do love catching a series like this. 😃
Swimming By, Alligator
As he went by the light gave a nice shot of the details on his back. The scute’s displayed here are similar to a turtle shell. Armor is the thing that comes to mind.
Great Egret Passing Through
Skimming along the surface, Great Egret.
Little known fact, Alligators can jump. Higher than you would think, I’ve seen one miss a Great Blue Heron by inches.
