The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.Shore and wading birds were prolific as is the norm when visiting the Preserve at a well planned time with concern for the tide not being too high. The Black Tern and Gull-billed Tern remained absent from view. Additional witching concerns that can occasionally be disruptive to the wildlife were in mind. After wading through images chosen for this second in a series of articles, I can't recall if it was on this trip that one of the more disturbing experiences occurred as a misguided visitor to the beach intentionally ran into a loafing flock of shorebirds at sunset seemingly for the fun of it. This disturbance of the birds at this exceptional venue is occasionally similarly observed with an unleashed dog brought onto the beach that certainly can't be blamed for its natural behavior. Perhaps there could be improved signage of the dog friendly beaches in the area. One thing is for sure, the birds here attract those that regard them and those that don't. In the time I had for observation on this day, it was a treat to see several species still sporting breeding plumage as they migrate through with a few interesting occasions when the action was captured. A more memorable observation was when the diminutive Wilson's Plover aggressively approached a much larger Willet. Between articles this week, I would travel to Hilton Head Island to visit with family from along the eastern seaboard. Though I didn't have a camera to capture wildlife sightings, Northern Cardinal and Carolina Chickadee were observed in extremely abundant numbers while about 50 Sanderling were observed in a flock feeding feverishly on the beach at Sea Pines Plantation one early evening.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer with Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Wilson's Plover with Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet with Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sanderling above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part I.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part III.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part IV.
I can't believe you went on a vacation without your camera.
ReplyDeletePreciosa y extensa entrada con mucha calidad de fotos, es una pasada el águila pescadora, saludos.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo with sunset as the backdrop! Bunche Beach Preserve is such a beautiful abode of birds.
ReplyDelete