Category Archives: Marsh

Wildlife, Landscape, This and That, Swamp, Marsh, What I Saw

A Marsh Burning

March 20, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

Smoke hung in the air for miles, smell heavy, and was like sand in our eyes.

While it looks bad it was actually one of many controlled burns we encountered today. It did affect our photographs in places.

I have watched the burns, and the results. Without these burns brush gets thick and would be a disaster with our many lightning storms.

As a city person I still feel apprehension for the land and animals. But it does work, and doesn’t rage or cause destruction.

Stranger still is that we, as photographers can be right in the middle of this. Even drive down a trail, dike, or dirt road with flames right on the side. Today we went within feet of a DNR truck spewing flames to start a burn. Up north they would have closed everything for miles around, not here. It’s about nature and individual responsibility.

Some places can smolder for a week. In a few weeks new growth starts, the charred trees leaf out, and life starts new.

Alligator, Marsh, Swamp, What I Saw, Wildlife

A Sense Of Humor, Alligator

March 20, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

This is the ‘Official’ danger sign from the state of South Carolina.

Alligators ‘May Live Here’. With emphasis on ‘May’.

If you have a puddle, pool, or rain barrel in the Lowcountry you have an Alligator. It’s no big deal.

I admit this sign makes me laugh. Any time I can catch an Alligator with this sign I grab a photograph.

I don’t think I would poke the little guy, but he’s a great conversation piece.

Birds, Charleston, Egret, Marsh, Swamp, Wildlife

Low Light Egret

March 20, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

A good thing this was a white bird.

The photograph was taken in the darkest location, at the end of the day.

Birds, Charleston, Egret, Marsh, Swamp, Wildlife

Through A Swamp, Great Egret

March 19, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

One of my favorite scenes. A large wading bird making their way through a swamp.

Timing and location are everything. Branches, trees and sticks almost always get in the way.

But when there is a clear opening the images are fun.

For me the key is to have the right distance too. The surrounding landscape must be in the shot.

I was lucky to have enough room here to get a crisp clear image of the Egret.

Birds, Charleston, Heron, Marsh, Swamp, Wildlife

Even The Great Blues Are Disagreeing

March 19, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

I think the chaos is spreading. Egrets and Anhinga are loud and scrappy. Great Blues typical above it all.

However this one was angry at another Heron for some reason and joined the fighting.

The bird being chased may have come to close to the others nest. This would be a good reason for a chase.

As with most disagreements it was over as fast as it started.

These big birds do get loud though.

Birds, Marsh, Shore Bird, Swamp, What I Saw, Wildlife

Avocet Fishing The Shallows

March 19, 2019 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

This series was photographed while a small group of American Avocet searched a large marsh. The water was lower than usual.

Water flow is controlled here by opening, and closing, wooden trunks (water gates). Nearby were parts for new wood frames. I assume the lower water was to make repairs easier.

The trunk system out in this area has been in use for a few hundred years. All along the coast were rice fields, this area must have fed those fields.