Rookery

Last Friday I checked on the Eagle chick SOLO, he is hanging out at the nest, all seems well from this distance..

He may be without other Eagles but he has friends to keep him company..,
On Saturday I drove to a neighboring county and along the way I happened to see out of the corner of my eye this pond...all that white stuff in the trees is Great Egrets on Nests!  There was a chain across the entrance and it is posted by a Hunt Club, no one was around so I did trespass long enough to snap a few photos...

I spotted at least 35 on nests and that was only a guess as some of the pond was not visible from my location...

Check out the beautiful blue eggs they have, in reading up on it, 25-27 days incubation so I have to return about 1st week of May to see YOUNG ones! 

Normally they build higher off the ground  some of these are quite low  they are surrounded by water that may be the difference...I don't think Raccoon would get at them in the water?
I know some water  snakes may try for sure...

I read that both sexes help with incubation of the eggs...and they both help with the feeding of the chicks...by regurgitating.

I also saw a large number of Anhinga possibly they are nesting here also along with Gallinule.   

This is such a treat to see...a Rookery right by a busy highway too....

Some Wood duck were also nesting

                                                                      Male Wood Duck

                                                                          Common Gallinule

I drove on to Lake Wallace, and someone had been feeding Mallard, and these American Coots decided they could do with a handout so they came rushing out of the water,,,,

Then they rushed right back into the water...lol

A nice Pied Bill Grebe came close by ,,,still I didn't get a sharp image, I'm  trying to figure out the Camera I purchased, I wasn't sure I'd actually keep it, I've had a hard time getting used to it, even tho it's just the next year up from the one I've been using.  I will keep it but I continue to learn how to use it.  I think I could benefit from using a tripod,  Birds in the trees still have to be hand held.  For the video capability alone it is worth the price I paid for it.  The Menu is so huge and getting things set up- the way I want has been a big learning curve for me, it is a point n shoot 4K Panasonic Lumix FZ-80.  I've missed some great shots as it focused on the background and not the bird I had clearly in the focus area...So anyways keep trying eh?

I made one more stop at the Greater Pee Dee Heritage Preserve.  It's just over into the neighboring county of Darlington.  Heard a lot of birds overhead...and the cool forest canopy was very enchanting! There was skeeters tho! The first part is a drive thru a swamp.  

And found these beautiful lilies in the edge of the woods..

The road continues on to the Great Pee Dee River as far as I could tell but I had to turn back as the day was getting late and I have 3 doggies waiting on me at home..

 I hope I can come back and continue to explore the road goes I read a flood washed out the little bridge and the road beyond that may not be passable,  Since it's been dry lately, getting stuck may not be an issue...so I will  return to see what the deal is!

Here is another little look at the Rookery Pond. 

That's all I have for this post...be safe but stay engaged in life.  

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.