A resident at the Center For Birds Of Prey. I am not sure how he was hurt but the center is his home now. One of the lucky ones.
Barn Owl, A Shoot At Birds Of Prey
Tag Archives: Charleston
Walk Through Old Magnolia Cemetery
Photographs shot in old Magnolia can have almost unlimited interpretations. At times I visit and focus on shooting black and white, others on wide shots, or close up, etc.
Wildlife lives throughout the cemetery but usually I bring gear more applicable to landscape styles.
The old section, with it’s civil war era stones and family crypts can be haunting, some places all rust and ruin.
There are places I have photographed numerous times but with changing light and seasons they rarely look similar.
It will probably take years to cover all of this cemetery, longer if I keep returning to my favorite spots.
If I ever do work through Magnolia directly across the lane is another cemetery to explore.
Anhinga, Up Close
This Anhinga was drying her feathers after diving for fish. For some reason it didn’t seem to be an issue that I was closer than usual.
The distinct soft brown neck feathers of breeding season are being replaced by the normal black and silver colors.
In this condition, wet and molting, they are a little bedraggled looking. Still Anhinga can be beautiful birds, not to mention deadly hunters
Green Heron And Green Muck
OK, it’s really duck weed, algae, and maybe some feathered fern. No matter, green muck.
And of course a Green Heron in there with it.
Low Flying Great Egret
These birds are elegant in flight.
There is something very satisfying about catching them in a close fly by. We photograph these birds almost daily, but never really get tired of it.
Just sayin.
Kite, Eating In Mid Air
You don’t get many opportunities like this so I played it conservative. Maybe a little too conservative since I had to crop these shots too much. All my focus was as wide as I could so as not to lose the soaring bird. I can live with these since I can’t get any more action photography chances better than this photo op.
These birds are very fast and must be to catch prey in the air.
This Kite was being fed at The Center For Birds Of Prey. Everything is natural here, they are a rehab facility. This bird captures prey in the air, so small pieces of meat are thrown up…very high (more than I ever could…ever).
Below is a sequence of a capture for the Kite, they don’t miss very often.
Above the bird soars in quickly focused on the food. Keep in mind this is a large hawk like bird.
The food is caught with talons, not her bill.
She eats the food and will circle high waiting to catch the next ‘prey’.
This is the method they use to feed the bird and keep her natural skills sharp.
Very impressive.
Sunflower Fields
Fields of Sunflowers are spread across many of the wildlife management areas. Many more here than I had seen up north.
The DNR folks are serious about these fields too. In some places they have solar panels running electric fences to keep out critters (2 legged ones included).
Swamp Apartment Building
A view here of a typical swamp rookery tree. Crowded and loud, but filled with beautiful birds. In general an amazing sight.