At one point here there were so many Bald Eagles it was getting confusing where to focus. Most of the activity was off on the far side of the marsh.
Last minute I noticed an Eagle fly down a canal, between 2 Great Egrets.
The catch here was so fast I must have been shifting focus to miss the touch down.
He did get the fish. Better, he had enough space to rise up since 2 Alligators were watching.
This mausoleum, the Gibbes family, has an unusual earthen roof. James Shoolbred Gibbes is buried here. He died in 1888 but other family members lie here also.
Before his death he had the angel statues carved in Italy. The plans for this building are in the US Library Of Congress and it is registered with the National Historic Registry.
James Shoolbred Gibbes, donated $100,000 to the Carolina Arts Association upon his death in 1888 for the “erection of a suitable building for the exhibitions of paintings.” The donation was the start of the well known Gibbes Art Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
The reeds made a nice pile up off the water. I guess this kept his feet dry and he was up high enough to feel safe.
You could still see plenty of the rusty juvenile coloring, but underneath the adult gray feathers were coming through. I have never been able to find out how long the juvenile coloring is kept.
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This Roseate Spoonbill had just taken off from a small group and was making a turn to land on the banks of the rice fields. One problem, I was already there.
When I was sighted a quick plan B went into effect.
A return back to where the flight started.
It’s always nice to get a head on photograph that’s decent. All these wading birds are so then they disappear when shooting straight on. Even if you can see something the camera still can’t find anything to focus on.
What it was this Egret seemed to spit it out very quickly and shake her head around. Water was flying everywhere.
I can’t imagine what it might have been, they will eat most anything.
Click, or double tap, any image to view the gallery and catch.
Around here the White Pelicans are 100% wild and really avoid getting close to people. This area is part of their migration route.
Typically large flocks stay out in the far marshes where we cannot get close at all. A long lens is no help if there is no road and dry land.
A few large groups have gone to rest in the old rice fields that we can reach. Most of them still pretty far away, but not always.
This may be the closest photograph I have had. Enlarged you can see drops of water on his feet and under belly feathers.
There are many Eagles where they picked to stay, but they are too big for them unless hurt. Alligators, well the big ones could be a problem.
This was taken while at least 5 other Eagles flew nearby. I was even able to get a few shots of Eagles attempting to steal fish from each other.
Most of the birds kept their distance fishing (and hunting the local Ibis) on the far side of this marsh. There were times they flew all around me.
This gathering might be the start of nest building here.
If you walk around with a big pack, second camera, and vest full of stuff you are a ‘photo nerd’, even in the boonies.
I did carry all that, and almost still do. The difference is a keep it in a sling in the car (if the car is in sight or safe).
Below is why I went back to having a second camera handy.
All these images were taken between 75 mm – 130 mm . Pretty much a portrait lens. My usual long lens will not shoot closer than 150 mm. These were not in focus on that lens. I was much too close. A feeding situation with 30 – 50 Alligators only happens maybe once a year, so missing the opportunity is not good.
These Alligators were feeding, and arguing, just off the bank of a marsh dike. I stood on the dike a little above (6 – 8 feet) and out of reach.
Almost makes me want a smaller mirrorless camera as backup. Ellen (PassingByPhoto.com) uses a Sony with several portrait lens. For now I’ll keep a older Canon DSLR, I know how to use it.
