Tag Archives: Fall

Birds, Heron, Landscape, Marsh, Pelican, Stork, Swamp, Wide Photographs, Wildlife

Pelicans, Heron, Stork

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A few days ago most of the marsh residents were working the far edges and avoiding the main dike road. This is when I use my monopod. I want to shoot long, wide, and at a slower speed.

A group of White Pelicans moved back and forth along a side dike. This path took them past other birds also working the reeds there.

The first photograph had two mixing with a Great Blue Heron. While the Heron is tall the difference is obvious. The Pelicans are much bigger.

Pelicans, Heron, Stork
Pelicans, Heron, Stork

Below Pelicans swam by a young Wood Stork. The stork was a juvenile, still when an adult is the tallest bird out here. Again the size difference is clear.

White Pelicans are huge birds. If they were able to stand straight they are just about the size of a person.

Some interesting comparisons.

Pelicans, Heron, Stork
Pelicans, Heron, Stork

ACE Basin.

Birds, Landscape, Marsh, Pelican, Swamp, Wildlife

White Pelican Flock

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The second largest bird in North America, the Condor is a shade larger. A White Pelican can be 5 1/2 feet in length (1.7 meters), a wing span of 10 feet (3 meters).

This is flock taking off is like being on a runway.

White Pelican Flock
White Pelican Flock
White Pelican Flock
White Pelican Flock

The birds were found on a South Carolina barrier island that has multiple big marshes.

White Pelican Flock
White Pelican Flock
Alligator, Birds, Egret, Heron, Landscape, Marsh, Shore Bird, Swamp, Wildlife

Almost Everybody Was Here, Marsh Birds

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Two fun shots trying to capture as many different birds as possible. Shot too far, too wide, but a big collection. And of course a few Alligators way in the back. The list I found is below.

Almost Everybody Was Here, Marsh Birds
Almost Everybody Was Here, Marsh Birds
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Great Egret
  • Snowy Egret
  • Little Blue Heron
  • Yellow-legs
  • Tricolored Heron
  • Gallinule
  • Grackles
Almost Everybody Was Here, Marsh Birds
Almost Everybody Was Here, Marsh Birds

The second shot was taken as I walked a little closer. Here there are four different bird species.

Birds, Marsh, Owls, Swamp, Wildlife

Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl

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This is a Rufous (brown) morph Eastern Screech Owl. There is also a grey morph but he hasn’t shown up yet. Males claim the holes, the female will inspect it and might move in.

They are small and agile, and about 7 to 10 inches tall and have a wingspan around 18 to 24 inches. We knew he was around but some friends we travel with pointed him out yesterday. This bird is invisible. These shots were as close as we would go, they live here, we just visit.

Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl
Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl
Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl
Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl

He did what all Screech Owls do, opened one eye to check us out. I have never seen a Screech Owl do anything other than that.

Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl
Tiny But Mighty, Screech Owl

ACE Basin has four types of owls;

  • Screech Owl
  • Barred Owl
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Barn Owl

 

Landscape, Swamp, What I Saw, Wide Photographs

Soggy Morning, Santee Delta

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Santee Delta is the largest in the eastern US. There are 6 rivers that ultimately flow through the marsh/swamps here. The delta itself is 450 miles long beginning in North Carolina. Most of the rivers ultimately empty directly into the Atlantic Ocean or through the creeks and bays of the South Carolina coast.

The delta can be rough and rural, but filled with history and incredible numbers of wildlife. In just 3 hours last week we encountered 16 Bald Eagles.

Soggy Morning, Santee Delta
Soggy Morning, Santee Delta

Rice plantations were once spread throughout the region. Creeks and small rivers like in these images were the only method of transportation.

Soggy Morning, Santee Delta
Soggy Morning, Santee Delta

These photographs were taken on the bank of a creek behind an old plantation. I’m not sure they are great viewing on a site like this, but I wanted to show an actual deep marsh scene few people will ever see. Maybe that’s best considering the flying insects bite and are more numerous and larger than you could believe. 😁