Christmas Visit a Birder’s Delight!

 I wasn’t sure if the gate would be open Christmas Day at Magnolia Cemetery but I was glad it was! Inside was an amazing variety of birds in the two ponds, especially the front one near the entrance. 

These are the most birds I’ve seen here in some time. And I’ve been coming here fairly regularly for about 12 years.

I’ve written two books about this grand 19th-century necropolis, the first one titled “The Birds of Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston’s Secret Bird Sanctuary” in 2011. 

Bluebird House Hunting?

 

I observed this Eastern Bluebird checking out two of my backyard birdhouses. Both seem to be vacant now so this male Bluebird may be seeking to claim one for the winter or even looking ahead to the spring for birthing babies time. 

Downtown Delight- The Dewberry Hotel

 

It should be on the shortlist of most successful repurposed buildings in Charleston’s long history. 

In this photo the Dewberry Hotel at 334 Meeting St. doesn’t look too differently from the staid federal government building that stood tall by Marion Square for decades. 

Closed back in the 1990s for asbestos problems the structure was empty and dormant for nearly 20 years. 

But several years ago hoteliers took over and transformed the site into a swanky and pricey five-star place of comfort and class. 

Rooms regularly go for more than $400 a night. What guests receive at such cost are first-rate accommodations and service in a primo downtown location. 

Hermit Thrush- What’s in a Name?

 New Sightings! 

The Hermit Thrush hasn’t been a chance visitor to my backyard feeders. I’ve spotted one a few times since my initial posting a few weeks ago. 

I like these three photographs I took the other day. 

I checked a really old edition of “Birds of America” that was given to me to try to find more insights into this melodious bird with the curious name. The book is from 1936, if I’m correctly reading the copyright date on an early page. The first copyright was in 1917. Wow, online a copy of this book/my book is selling for $172.50.