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.
The bird I most wanted to see was there in abundance. More than a dozen Hooded Mergansers were floating on the front pond.
“Hoodies” as these are affectionately called have been wintering at the cemetery for years. I think their arrival this year was a little later than usual but it’s great to see them in such numbers.
The male has a large white patch on his head. The female has a different look with a reddish-brown head.
To me, the Hooded Mergansers were the stars on this day. They migrate from up north so time is limited to see them. They usually stay in the ponds here until March or so.
There were many other bird types on the water. I photographed 11 different kinds. This was a Christmas gift in itself!
Here are the best of the rest.
WHITE IBIS
MALLARDS
LITTLE BLUE HERON
GREAT BLUE HERON
GREAT EGRET
SNOWY EGRETS
ANHINGA
CORMORANTS
WOOD STORKS
What a good way to spend part of Christmas Day! The only negative was seeing this new damage at a favorite Magnolia Cemetery plot. This is the eternal home of, among others, Little Annie, a favorite of visitors who has been interred here since the early 1850s. It looks like a car hit the coping around this circular family plot. What a shame! I hope this can be repaired in 2021.
It was pretty cold out here! But it was a refreshing, peaceful outing after opening our Christmas presents at home. Our boys didn't want to join us on this excursion. Thanks to Alesia for being a trooper by coming with me to this special place once again.
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