I found this guy in a spot, near the river, that rarely has an Alligator on any platforms. Maybe looking for a peaceful place to sleep.
He Couldn’t Fit, Alligator
Tag Archives: Charleston
Great Blue Heron, Feeling The Heat
Sometimes the pose is not quite what you hoped for.
A Swamp, Three Views
While out recently I have been relying on my ‘one size fits all’ lens and a backup camera. My usual wildlife camera had taken a beating over the years so it was time for a rebuild. Add a sore back to the mix and I carried as little as possible.
Being able to shoot wide if needed allowed me to capture things my usual big zooms will not. The photographs here are 3 different parts of a local swamp I walk often.
The green carpet of grass above is deceiving. There is always ankle deep water right underneath.
The thick ‘end of year’ grasses and duck weed here is making a last effort to take over all the open waters.
At times this particular spot is rich with wildlife. Now it’s a bit slower. No matter, considering this is a place so close to my home I can walk around anytime I want.
Just A Little Odd, Ibis
How do they not tip over ?
Sleeping In The Muck, Alligator
This is ‘green soupy muck’ time in the swamps.
The end of summer, into our semi-fall weather, is when the last big growth of algae and water plants happens. Any swamp areas are now covered in green stuff, you might not realize there is even water there.
Alligators are completely unaware of the muck. Above shows one laying right in some. Yesterday I spotted the ‘back end’ of an Alligator nearby, but his head was hidden in a green plant wig.
As long as the days get sun and heat up to 78 degrees (25.5 C) this soup will thrive.
Perhaps If I Ignore Him…
This Egret was on a dike looking along the sides for an easy catch.
The bird was not bothered by me at all. In fact I needed to pass by where he was wandering around to leave the marshes. Finally I moved on my way. At best he gave me a quick glance before going back about his business.
Survivor, Wood Duck
Still here, and doing well.
I’m not sure if her wing was broken or maybe born this way.
In any case she lives in a local swamp and has kept safe from Alligators and other predators since early spring.
A Wood Duck can be fine living here year round so as long as she is cautious I expect to see her from time to time.
Cabins, Black And White Textures
I could not have picked a better location for a black and white series. Old rustic cabins, with all the raw wood textures and shadows had everything I needed.
Everything except an obvious finishing style. I played with very light surfaces, high key, probably most options I could think of.
Eventually I just went with this, a harsh grain.
And yeah, I even included the ‘out buildings’.