… a few thousand Pelicans.
At Bird Key, coastal South Carolina.
Found A Few Pelicans…
Tag Archives: wildlife
Painted Bunting On The Marsh Grass
Before I came to this area I knew nothing about these birds. They are actually part of the Cardinal family. This is the one small bird I do work to photograph.
These fairly common finches breed in the coastal Southeast and in the south-central U.S., where they often come to feeders. They are often caught and sold illegally as cage birds, particularly in Mexico and the Caribbean, a practice that puts pressure on their breeding populations.
After you have seen one male you always look around to see another. Stunning birds.
And as to be expected, they are shy.
The small bird photographers will wait by sunflower fields for them. That is a spectacular image. I have never photographed one on a sunflower.
Great Egret Conversation (2)
Part of the ongoing conversation between these two Great Egrets.
One of them will fly off for a while. When they come back, it’s pickup right where they left off.
The neighbors are most interested too.
Not Leaving Home Just Yet, Egrets
I know they can fly. I’ve seen them.
But why leave home when there’s still free food?
Maybe A Little Too Wet, Anhinga
Anhinga (snake bird) fish underwater. Like a Cormorant they have no oils in their feathers to help them swim.
However, drying off here can be a problem…predators love them.
I think this young lady was in the water a little too long. She was drenched and unable to fly. This log was best she could do.
Above is a good example of just how wet they can get.
A few good shakes and a some sun had her dry enough to get airborne and on higher ground.
Great Egret, Plantation Swamp
This is a slow, lazy fly by, a Great Egret. The breeding season is done, and most are Egrets have moved on.
Shots like this will be far less, even though there are always some around.
Cold weather is no danger here, so these’s a good chance a few late bloomers are feeding young in the back islands.
Great Egret Conversation
There is a Bald Cypress tree in this swamp that has always drawn the birds to nest, or at least sit and rest awhile. Just as nice is the fact a direct view can be had from a trail.
I have been able to get some of my best work right there. All hours and every season it rarely lets us down.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Of course I changed to a shorter lens just as some Swallow-tailed Kites showed up. This was a chance for great photographs.
I knew I was shooting short, the Kites were too high, and I have no practice with them. These birds survive by being the ultimate acrobats, catching dragonfly in flight, with their claws. Even our Mississippi Kites don’t dance like them.
Few birds can twist and turn like these birds, so no practice with them limits results. You can’t get practice because they are just arriving here, these are South American birds that will venture into Florida.
The last 2 – 3 years have seen a few migrating around here. Now this year there are small flocks.
Perhaps within my 200 bad images I may find some good ones. I did catch several capturing insects and eating in flight, but really bad photos. I may see more in the next month or so though.
Now I need to submit the coordinates to DNR as they track and document these arrivals.