You will probably hear the stork coming before you see him.
Those huge wings push a tremendous amount air.
These are two quick shots taken as a Wood Stork flew across a dike I was walking. I had been following their flight path as they landed behind tall grass. I just didn’t realize they were coming in low on this trail… I would have been better prepared LOL.
OK, so not excited. Heck, not even animated.
He folded up those long legs and sat down to sleep in the sun.
Juvenile Wood Stork.
Didn’t think this needed much of a title.
Another few shots taken in the early hours.
The Spoonbill did not appear to have any interest in moving around until the sun had come warmed up the entire marsh.
Bear Island, South Carolina.
I know it seems early, it’s winter! But not down in the Lowcountry.
It may be cold at night yet the bigger bird are already making plans.
These Wood Storks are not near any known rookery, but they didn’t care.
Cute couple don’t you think ?
I tend to skip most over head shots. Unless the angle is prefect, or the bird is unique the shots are usually just OK.
Wood Storks are special, but again it’s an over head shot.
Well, I was following their path to see where they were hunting. As I got closer, so did the new ones flying in.
Finally I went with the flow. These shots are several different birds as they flew low heading to join a flock ahead on the trail I was walking.
As you hear those big wings pumping the air going by you think of the extra memory cards in your pocket and keep shooting.
And yes, I deleted a bunch.
There were two more flocks like this further down the marsh. Spoonbill like to keep moving and this one was doing as expected.
There was also a group back to my left. That means the birds were going back and forth between the groups, all passing in front of me.
That was the theory anyway. Turns out there were other groups even further up marsh so eventually I had to follow them. Some kept moving.
Old Magnolia Cemetery sits along the Cooper River in the middle of large marshes.
Besides being one the most important historical cemetery sites it is also home to a diverse wildlife population.
Above, Wood Storks like to roost in the old Live Oaks looking over the marsh ponds.
In a recent visit I noticed what appeared to be Storks building a nesting frame. This would be significant since not long ago they were an endangered species.
Charleston, South Carolina.
