Tag Archives: wildlife

Marsh Scenes

When we get to a marsh or swamp and find many different birds and actions happening, at the same time, it’s easy to just start shooting anything and everything. This means I will have tons of random wildlife shots. I will focus after a bit, but rule 101 says get the shot. Below are a few of the initial ‘get the shot’ images.

1) A Great Egret dropped down as we first entered. He was joining a few others already feeding. I wanted to get my first inflights right away to be sure I had the camera settings correct. I’m not comfortable enough yet with my new gear to ‘set and forget’.

Marsh Scenes
Marsh Scenes

2) A group shot below using the big Pelicans are the main subject. I hadn’t shot the Pelicans since the beginning of the year. They can take off in mass with little warning. So first thought was the Pelicans, but shoot wide enough to catch the Egrets and Wood Storks in the background. I have had times where big flocks took off immediately on seeing me giving me a few initial photos only.

Marsh Scenes
Marsh Scenes

3) Last here was a scene happening just off to my right as I was shooting the other photos.

A Wood Stork was walking away with something he had caught. In the reeds a  Great Blue Heron was watching, probably considering his options to steal from the bigger Stork. It never happened, but I was sure it was about to. Looking at the image now, I think he has a stick. The Heron may have noticed that too and skipped his plan.

Marsh Scenes
Marsh Scenes

Out in these marshes when there is a sudden drop in temperatures fish can die off, or at least be stunned. When this happens every critter in the area comes for the free food. I did see stunned and a few dead, fish a little later. Most birds only want fresh kill. Bald Eagles, Alligators, and of course  Vultures aren’t so picky.

Images taken in the ACE Basin, Donnelley wildlife area, South Carolina.

Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh

A moving target, circling around us. Not a great angle for me. However when you have Bald Eagles swirling and diving you ignore most everything else.

Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh

This particular Eagle made several turns and passes over the open marsh area. I did not catch any close dives to the surface though.

Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh

The sudden colder weather stunned some fish in the rice fields and marshes. Not a true fish kill, but enough to attract most every type of local predator.

Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh

I counted six different adult Eagles. They may have been more, and the dark juvenile Eagles were with the Vultures so I never even tried to count them.

Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh

ACE Basin, South Carolina.

Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight

Great Blues are always my favorite in flight subjects, good colors, large wings, just a nice series when things work out.

Below the big heron jumped from a marsh and passed across the grasses and pine forest. Open land helped me pan along with him.

Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight

This marsh was filled by all types of birds, the Great Blues completely out numbered.

Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight

Being solitary birds when the crowds move in they ‘eat and run’.

Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight

I shot wide on a number of flight series here. First, I wanted to get the environment, show the where and what. Second, I had read, and been told, Leica zoom lens were stiff. Not having a lot of fast flight practice (got plenty here) I didn’t want to push my luck. Oh, they are stiff, stay that way, but don’t flop around either.

Donnelley rice field, ACE Basin, South Carolina.

First Shots In A While, White Pelicans

I walked past some high reeds and grass to the beginning of an old rice field. This was the first shot of the day, and first of these big guys in almost a year.

I didn’t count the numbers, it was fluid anyway as they came and went. However, at one time there were maybe 50-70 in the marsh and old rice fields.

First Shots In A While, White Pelicans
First Shots In A While, White Pelicans

One of the biggest birds in North America. They are as long as the Trumpeter Swan, wing span like a Condor. Their weight can range between 7.7 and 30 lb (3.5 and 13.6 kg).

ACE Basin, South Carolina.

Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk

Sitting up on top of a dead tree, looking over a swampy wetlands. He did his best to pretend we weren’t there. Down below were all types of snacks. He just needed to be patient.

Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk
Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk

I never did see him drop down.

Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk
Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk
Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk
Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk

On this morning we must have seen at least five different hawks. Only two looked to be a pair.