This Spoonbill was part of a group that did their best to stay out of photograph reach. However, one particular bird flew laps around the open water at just the right height to catch the fall marsh grasses in the background.
‘I hate when this happens’.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
This is what happens where Bald Eagles fly over.
Most of the birds were Blue-winged Teals, a few might have been Black Ducks.
The grass erupted with maybe 200 birds. The Eagle was not even all that close either. But I’ve seen this before. They take no chances.
Best viewed large.
She wanted to watch me, and still look out over a field.
She couldn’t do both so left in a hurry.
Such a beauty !
Note; I need a correction here. This is actually a Merlin, not a Kestrel. The Merlin is a little bit larger and less colorful, but almost identical in other ways. Merlin are not seen around here as much as Kestrels. Another photographer saw the shot and made the new ID. šš
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
I never would have thought this background would work so well. It’s darkĀ with branches everywhere.
This Wood Stork was facing away but would turn and preen his feathers getting some extra light.
Wood Stork in a Live Oak tree with Spanish Moss.
If this Tricolored Heron had not moved I would never had known he was near.
The vertical strip in the neck feathers make him look just like a reed. It’s really amazing.
I’ve been publishing many photographs from marshes lately, it’s that time of year.
However, we still do visit local swamps even though the action is slower.
So, a Snowy Egret sunning in a Cypress Tree.
OnĀ any given day this area can have low mud flats or water much too deep for a smaller Heron to navigate.
This is a perfect place for smaller wading birds to hunt. The changing water levels are always replenishing fish and small crustaceans.
Taken in one of the small open water pools off a dike. This was after sunrise with the light sparkling off the wet reeds. The Great Blue fishing off a log.
Pools and canals are formed where the water flows through the connecting trunks. This location is tidal and high tides can create swift currents of moving water.
