The first Wood Stork of the day, and I had plenty of time to focus and follow him. That’s what caused the problem I guess, too much time. I followed him right into the sun and grabbed a single shot in flight. However, I heard him and found him again.
I’m not sure who did the squawking.
The Wood Stork landed next to a Black Vulture. I assume it was not the Vulture, I think they just ‘hiss’.
So I salvaged the series, or rather the stork did.
The tallest birds in the swamp, Wood Storks, are dwarfed by the size and bulk of these White Pelicans.
Most times these two are not together, shots like this are unusual for me. Now I need to get out and see if I can get them with the Tundra Swans down the road.
It’s always nice to find and photo a Wood Stork. But really, a tree full is so much better.
When I see the storks it’s almost always in the marsh water, with mud. Mud has a way of making a photograph a little less exciting.
These Wood Storks picked a perfect spot, even though we were still in a marsh.
Clear blue sky and a huge green pine with no mud in sight.
Mosquito Creek, Yawkey Wildlife Area, South Carolina.
Wood Storks have moved into the neighborhood. Enough are around now to be considered a colony (a flock of storks).
The change in weather has helped these big birds to make a comeback. They were on the endangered list a few years ago. It’s warmer and they discovered the Lowcountry marshes. However typically we have only one or two in our nearby marshes.
Being one of my favorite birds it’s nice to have them close by.
These photographs were taken on an afternoon walk. Afternoon being the key word here… it’s warm and takes no planning. Just make sure there’s a battery in the camera as you leave.
A little known fact about very tall Storks; it’s really hard to sit down. Of course their knees even bend in the wrong direction.
Best viewed large.
So this is how they fold up their legs. AWKWARD 🤣🤣🤣
Standing back up requires much flapping LOL.
There was a moment the Great Blue was not sure how to react.
The Wood Stork casually brushed past the Great Blue. He was digging for food and the Heron was of no importance.
Great Blues are one of the big predators in the marshes. But even they try not to upset a Wood Stork.
I was not close but thought it would make a nice series.
Both of these shots were taken a few weeks ago in a salt marsh near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The area is a big tourist destination, however along the coastline there are plenty of wildlife locations too.
Below a Great Egret landed nearby and slide for stop. Birds were feeding along a rock causeway in a salt marsh.
This Wood Stork was one of several also working the rocks in this marsh.
I think we get spoiled with so many options in the Lowcountry. I like to work with monochrome for something different. The ‘less is more’ makes you work and think a little more.
This opportunity came when I was trying to sneak away from a large flock of Egrets. Ellen remained down in the marsh brush, I left to try for different nearby spots. And then a few noticed me behind the trail scrub trees.
Through a small opening I saw these two.
It was going to be a nice quick action shot, or a complete bust.
I like these. Just different enough yet capturing the usual in flight pose.
