A bird that everyone loves, a Pelican. The Brown Pelicans are the ones we have the most of. They nest on sand bars and unfortunately around here the bars change on a yearly basis. Each new storm rearranges the shape of the coast.
This photograph is of an adult in water almost shallow enough for him to stand.
Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina.
When out on the other side of the Charleston peninsula I try to stop at a few spots that typically have Pelicans around.
The bird passed by while we were standing on a boat pier.
I did not have my usual long lens so I was at the mercy of the birds and how they picked up on the thermal over the water.
These little guys run as fast as they fly. Those little legs can really move.
If you give them enough space between you and the incoming surf a parade will run by.
The trick is to get the shot, and have the right lens. A big heavy long lens is an unwieldy problem.
Sanderling hunt for tiny worms under the sand.
They have a really special trick. They tap a foot, quickly, on the surface. This can cause the worm to move. Once they see it…
A fast capture at sundown outside Charleston.
We don’t have many trees that have the vivid colors like the northern US.
We do have some of the prettiest sunsets along the ocean shore each fall.
The shore, and close in marshes, have plenty of these birds. Up north it was one of the most photographed birds around. Common, yes, but can make interesting photographs also.
This group was looking around in the surf as the tide turned and started to go out.
Above, the right hand bird had only one leg. He did just fine, even in the moving water.
A Gull, but one a little different.
To me many of the midsized Gulls look the same. I don’t have enough practice with them like in the past. Best I can tell this Lesser Black-backed has a very small range along the US east coast.
Only an educated guess on my part. Best I’ve got.
White Ibis appear to be the surprise photographs of the year. Even though they are a common bird here in the Lowcountry getting decent shots can be tricky.
Except this year.
We have added a few new spots to wander which may explain the larger numbers. The environment is not much different, but who knows.
