Welcome to my Blog Page, here you will find little stories of my everyday photographic passions.
It's January 2024! A new year, a new nesting season. This time of year, here in the Low Country of South Carolina and I am sure many places nature calls, and the nesting/breeding season begins for our birds, be they large or small.
Yesterday I needed some fresh air and went to a local site, carried my camera and long lens along, but I was thinking I wouldn't really get to see any birds. As luck would have it, I did find a little blue heron and many Ibis. It is fun to watch as these wading shorebirds feed on the worms and snails that are in the Pluff Mud as the tide goes out.
The little video shows the landscape the Salt Marsh these birds were in, I hope you get an idea of the size of it.
Scroll down for the little blue heron and the Ibis as they walk about, feeding and fly in for lunch.
Birds of Prey
Attached is a slideshow of the images I took at the Birds of Prey Rehab and Educational Center in Charleston, SC. Maybe you have heard of it. It is 1 of only 2 on the East Coast of the US to treat birds who become coated with oil from an oil spill. It is a rehab center for large birds that become injured in this general area helping many of them back to good health and then released back into their home area. There are some that after injury cannot be released back into the wild and they serve as educational inhabitants of the center, enlightening old and young as to their many characteristics.
My slideshow includes: Asian Owl, Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Red Tailed Hawk, Burrowing Owl and a Kite. The wires you may observe are transponders as sometimes they choose to have an adventure and go beyond the safety of their handler's eye.
Butterflies
Today, the last day of September for me brings the Season of Autumn. Yes, I know officially it was September 23, but I procrastinate the loss of Summer. My little garden did not do well this summer, too much heat, too much rain, but I am seeing many small Dahlia's now (a favorite), and they are attracting lots of butterflies today. They can be difficult to photograph, they flit from here to there almost as fast as a hummingbird. If you observe them from day to day, it does seem that there is a best day for pollen in each flower they gravitate to. I suppose it is like a piece of fruit, there is a perfect day for ripeness. Today these Fritillaries gravitated to a magenta dahlia with a bright yellow center. By the way Fritillary comes from the Latin word fritillus meaning checkerboard. I'm guessing you can see why.
Part 2 Port Royal Cypress Wetlands - The Blue Birds
As these birds were so plentiful, I am continuing on with my photographic
adventure with the Birds of Blue Colors.
This juvenile Little Blue Heron seems to be checking out the Turtle population.
Little Blue Heron in Flight
Mature Little Blue Heron
Triccolored Heron Preening
Tricolored babies, waiting in line
Tricolored Heron young ones chasing Mom for lunch.
Black Crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron, Ibis in the background
Tricolored Heron Sitting Pretty
Juvenile Little Blue Heron colors changing from White to Blue, an artistic touch
Port Royal Cypress Wetlands - Part 1 The White
Birds
It is once a year in the Spring - March, April, May and June that the large wading birds come together finding mates, pairing off, building nests, and bringing forth a new group of nestlings to fill our skies and marshes with these wonderful specimens.
These past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of witnessing this ritual at the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands, SC, which has become a beautiful sanctuary for these birds as well as the humans that come to visit, observe, photograph and simply enjoy this piece of heaven on earth.
It is so very hard to pick just a few examples of these Ibis, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Wood Storks.
Great Egret Soaring Above
Ibis in full breeding colors
Ibis Dance
Ibis Pair
Ibis on the nest
Ibis in Flight
Showy Egret Parent and Chilld
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret, feeding time
Siblings
Great Egret Feeding Time (it is quite a spectacle)
Wood Stork Preening
I went out the other day in search of TREES for a photo class that I am doing and needed a local place to tap into. Couldn't think of anything then an Aha moment, The Sea Pines Forest Preserve. The only forest area on the island.
This preserve is home to about 20 Legacy Live Oak Trees. They are called Live Oaks because they maintain their leaves all winter long, then shed them in the spring as the new grown emerges. One of them is pictured above. They are between 150 and 350 years old and are maintained with care, love and appreciation for their heritage.
I call this a "southern forest", because it is mainly full of Pines, Oaks, Ferns and Palmetto Trees known to this area. I hope you enjoy this little gem of a forest from my perspective
HILTON HEAD LANTERN PARADE
Last night here on Hilton Head Island we experienced the Lantern Parade. This parade was created by artist Chantelle Rytter and it features her artistry along with lanterns made by individuals, groups and clubs. It is an event to give the people of the community an opportunity to see themselves as visions of light and celebrates the ecology, environment and people of Hilton Head Island.
This event has been around for 5 or so years, interrupted by Covid, back last year. This was my first time experiencing the event and from my vantage point, along with about several thousand other onlookers, this is what I could see. On the beach with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop and the Sea Oats along the way, the Lanterns were amazing, the crowd wonderful, peaceful and elated to observe.
Why does one move to a small island in South Carolina? There are many reasons, but one, for me is to be near the beach, and (2) truth be told to get away from the snow. Here I can visit any number of beaches within 10 minutes and be delighted, calmed and observe nature at its best. We have a special beach here on Hilton Head Island which attracts migrating shore birds. Some stop over to rest, some will spend the winter, some are here year-round. This past week I observed hundreds of birds on that one beach all within an hour or so within a mile long stretch.
Adult and Juvenile Pelicans - white heads = Adult -Brown Heads = Juvenile
I call this one FRENZY - Black Skimmers, Royal Terns, Marbled Godwit, Sanderlings, Gulls and many more that I cannot identify.
American Oyster Catchers
Snowy Egret, Juvenile Black Bellied Plover, White Ibis, Adult Black Bellied Plover, Royal Terns, Marbled Godwit
Black Skimmers - They will skim along the water dropping their long, narrow mandible into the water skimming along until they feel fish, as you see the middle one about to do.
My Garden is a source of inspiration for me. For flower growing, for flower photography, for birds and bird photography. Although the garden is small and always at the same address, each day it is a different source of visual sensation. Today it was a bee and the mint.
Last Sunday a week ago, I observed a US Coast Guard Cutter, Pompano, a HC130J and H-65 Rescue Helicopter come into our harbor and then watch a simulated air-sea rescue. It is amazing work that these men and women do for us with their service to our Country.
Spring Time is for the Birds!
They don their beautiful breeding colors, look for a mate and bring such delight to those who watch.
Here are a few of my captures from a recent trip to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, FL.
The Bald Eagle, a perfect specimen.
Blue Winged Teal Couple and Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Common Galinule
Little Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron
Anhinga
Anhinga
A Bald Eagle in all his/her Glory!
A week ago Sunday I observed the US Coast Guard Cutter, Pompano, come into Sea Pines, Harbor Town Marina, for viewing. In celebration of the Coast Guard and all they do, they also brought over a C-130J plane and a H-65 Coast Guard Helicopter and performed a simulated Air - Sea Rescue. Many thanks to these Women and Men who protect our shores and give their service to our Country.