Charleston's beautiful and historic Magnolia Cemetery continues, for me, to be a great place to visit, especially when it’s one of those “It’s so pretty out, let’s do something” Sunday afternoons. And especially when beach season is over.
Such was the case on Sunday, Nov. 2. Upon entering the cemetery, the front lagoon quickly came into view and so did lots of birds in the trees by the pond.
Not just any birds either. This is the colorful paddle-billed Roseate Spoonbill. Such a unique bird!
A second Roseate Spoonbill was on site, joined on a live oak tree by a trio of White Ibis.
A Wood Stork standing tall, like it’s standing at attention for inspection. Good posture! OK, at ease.
A Brown Pelican is keeping an eye on things to the right and the left.
Four, count ‘em four, Black-crowned Night Herons, added to the range of species spotted on this day. The one at the lower left of the frame is easy to miss. But we see you!
This brown one is a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron. Amazing the transformation in looks the youngster will make.
The parade of birds continued along the front pond with a Little Blue Heron perched on the levee device used to control water levels and a Belted Kingfisher nearby on the Beware of Alligator sign.
These two birds are among my favorites. In my “Birds of Magnolia Cemetery” book I say how the Belted Kingfisher is very elusive. It seems to have 👀 in the back of its head. I found it hard to get closeup photos as they always seemed to fly away when I approached, even from long distances. Maybe I have become stealthier because on this day I did successfully get closer.
Love the coloring of this bird!
The Little Blue Heron also has striking good looks. As babies and juvies they are white. What a transformation occurs as they grow!
Like the poof of feathers on its head!
I finally got too close for comfort so LBH took off in a blur. Well, my camera focus was blurry anyway.
Magnolia Cemetery is such a beautiful and interesting place. The birds make the appeal even greater. My 2014 book tells the story of this grand necropolis. It’s called “In the Arms of Angels: Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston’s Treasure of History, Mystery and Artistry.” It is available for purchase on my Amazon author’s site and from the author. That's me! Contact me at birdseyeviewspublications@gmail.com.
Call me a taphophile (a person who likes graveyards); call me an ornithophile (a person who likes birds). I’m both and I have Magnolia Cemetery to thank for launching me on this enriching journey starting in 2008.
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