Tag Archives: Nature

Book Ends, Heron And Egret

Here a photograph I could not have have taken a few weeks ago, the fall weather has pushed down the high grasses. Now the old wooden structures can be seen. They may have been used to dry nets or as a duck blind years ago when this was still private plantation lands.

Book Ends, Heron And Egret
Book Ends, Heron And Egret

Both the Great Blue and Egret moved around on the old posts catching the first rays of morning sun.

Book Ends, Heron And Egret
Book Ends, Heron And Egret

In a few weeks all these reeds and grasses will become a dull brown, but for now everything is golden.

Book Ends, Heron And Egret
Book Ends, Heron And Egret

These were some of the last photographs of the year in these marshes. Rangers close the dike roads, tens of thousands of acres, each winter to protect the habitat and migrating birds.

Bear Island WMA, South Carolina.

Cormorant Season

Technically that may or may not be true.

I tend to see many more Double-crested Cormorant in the fall and winter. I think some move a little inland to the marshes.

Cormorant Season
Cormorant Season

And of course it’s always nice to have a little ‘pink’ in a photograph.

Double-crested Cormorant, Roseate Spoonbill, ACE Basin, South Carolina.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator

She was staying close to the shore but at the time I could see or hear nothing. I knew there were about 13-14 young ones here. They were clever and stayed hidden right at the waters edge in brush.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

Alligators are the only reptile that guard young after they hatch. They need to you since babies are small and just about everything out here will eat them.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

I didn’t want to upset her, or get her excited so we stood there watching. Mom did start to move around the edges of the branches though.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

And soon we heard the little ‘chirps’ of babies. Closer than I thought and right at the waterline. They were no larger than 6 inches (15 centimeters).

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

Mom was working her way around the brush watching us. Around here we are not considered much of a threat, but this not to mean you get too close or bother the young.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

In the above image I tried to capture a few babies without leaning over.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

The little ones stayed in the thick greenery, some slipping under the water. I did want a better open shot but today was not the day.

Momma And The Kids, Alligator
Momma And The Kids, Alligator

Mom was about 15 yards (13 meter) and floating. She was careful and calm.

There’s no reason to get her agitated so we move on.

Over A Dike Road, Heron

This particular dike in a wildlife management area starts in a wooded area, with trees overhang into the marshlands.

When lucky you can step out into the open and find various birds right above you.

Over A Dike Road, Heron
Over A Dike Road, Heron

When really lucky the bright sky doesn’t blow out your shot since there’s little time to set up.

This Great Blue was an ‘almost gone’ photograph. Just enough color to get the Heron in this image.

Skimmer In The Morning

The thing about photographing a Black Skimmer is you get one chance for marsh shots. Almost all the time they show up, slip by, and all you can do is watch.

Skimmer In The Morning
Skimmer In The Morning

This Skimmer moved all around the hammocks circling back to repeat the same route.

Skimmer In The Morning
Skimmer In The Morning

In short he kept giving me the opportunity, and I needed the extra help.

I missed multiple shots before these.

Skimmer In The Morning
Skimmer In The Morning

ACE Basin, South Carolina.