What's That Shadow?

  • Thirsty Yellow Crowned Night Heron Drinking

    Thirsty Yellow Crowned Night Heron Drinking

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    Yellow crowned night herons have returned to Charleston for the season. They’re one of my favorite birds so I’m pretty happy to see them again. Yellow crowned night herons are always thirsty and they were the inspiration for this waterbowl on the dock after seeing them try to drink out of the sink that is…

  • Mama Possum with cute opossum stalker

    Mama Possum with cute opossum stalker

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    Mama possum (technically Opossum) is North America’s only marsupial. Marsupials are mammals like humans, but the females have a specialized pouch to house, nurse, and raise their babies. Possums are generally solitary but this guy has been hanging with mama for a while, so maybe he’s the dad. It’s mating season and male possums are…

  • Male Belted Kingfisher Eats Fish

    Male Belted Kingfisher Eats Fish

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    This male belted kingfisher swallows this little fish whole in one gulp and then feaks (cleans his beak). Kingfishers plunge head first in the water to get their food. Kingfishers don’t actually get the hiccups, that’s just how I describe it. Charleston SC March 2025

  • Brown Thrasher Bath Standoff with Blue Jays

    Brown Thrasher Bath Standoff with Blue Jays

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    Brown Thrashers are fairly secretive birds with long bodies, legs, and tails. They have a red brown plumage with white underparts that are heavily streaked. Brown thrashers have two black and white wingbars and are in the same family as mockingbirds and catbirds. Blue Jays love a good standoff and it looks like brown thrashers…

  • Eagle Eating Fish Being Harassed

    Eagle Eating Fish Being Harassed

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    This adult eagle has caught a fish and unzipped it and eats it in an oak tree while being harassed by crows and grackles. My estimate for the eagles age is 3 ½ years old based on spotty plumage in the white areas of fully mature adult eagles of 5 ish. His or her beak…

  • Thirsty Marsh Raccoon On Day Bender

    Thirsty Marsh Raccoon On Day Bender

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    This marsh raccoon is on a bender and late in heading home. Seeing raccoons in the day does not mean they are sick. Spring is a time of mating and territorial disputes and summer is a time of feeding kits. Seeing a raccoon in the day usually means it’s hungry or taking advantage of an…

  • 3 Male Mallard Ducks Chasing Female

    3 Male Mallard Ducks Chasing Female

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    Three male mallards (called Drakes) are chasing a female mallard in what looks like mating attempts. I’m no expert on mallard duck mating so please read about it at All About Birds. com Mallards are generally monogamous once they have a mate, but apparently they stray as well 🙂 Males are known to pursue females…

  • Carolina Wren Looking Pretty

    Carolina Wren Looking Pretty

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    This Carolina wren lives, nests, and has babies in our garage. It’s an open slated garage with outdoor access through the slates. The Carolina wren is a relentless and loud singer. The song is generally the first and last we hear of a day. Look for a small bird with a relatively long tail with…

  • double Crested Cormorant Flock

    double Crested Cormorant Flock

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    Flock Of Double Crested Cormorants, A Dolphin, Two Oystercatchers in Folly River. Charleston SC , March 9, 2025