Murrell's Inlet, SC

Great Egret

Huntington Beach, SC

During my weekend in Myrtle Beach, I stopped at Huntington Beach State Park and Murrel's Inlet for some last week of summer birding.  I consider any birding trip a success if I see one lifer and get a decent picture.  Huntington Beach was pristine, not too crowded and an overall lovely time. I didn't make the mile walk to the jetty because of the lateness of the hour, but I would definitely return there someday in the winter and make a day of it.

Juvenile Semipalmated Plover- a lifer for me.
 I thought it was a Kildeer.  Good thing I take pictures first and ask questions later.

Breeding Ruddy Turnstone

An Osprey flew right overhead.

These two are both Sanderlings.  This one is the adult.

This is the juvey.

A tree full of Great Egrets

Tricolored Heron

Baby alligator in the manmade marsh at Huntington Beach State Park.
The mama was nearby.

Backyard Peeps

After the mild disappointment of Shelley Lake in summer, I returned home to some interesting bird behavior in my own back yard.  Just goes to show, there's no place like home.

Some juvenile Bluebirds keeping cool in the birdbath.
A deck railing is the reason for the strange cropping of this photo.

A third juvey about to take off.

It was one of those days when the only place to be was in the water--somewhere, anywhere you could find it.
This Tufted Titmouse has the right idea.  Please don't judge me for this dirty chair.

A female Ruby Throated Hummer has found my new feeder.

Summer Shelley Lake

Were we crazy tromping around in the heat at Shelley Lake in June?  I remember the heat was pretty gross and not too much birding excitement to be had, but I will post the pictures of the birds we did see.

Fish Crow 

Muscovy Hybrid

Male Kingfisher

A pair of Rough Winged Swallows 

Welcome, Summer (Tanagers)

A pair of Summer Tanagers have been hanging around my house for the last few days.  I've seen males many times and even seen a very morphy-looking juvenile but I've never gotten a good shot of the female.  This morning in the garden I heard her twittering in a tree nearby and managed to get the camera before she flew off.  She's not as flashy as her mate, but still very pretty.

Shelley Lake

The Wake Audubon group that went to Shelley Lake last week saw Cedar Waxwings and Solitary Sandpipers, two birds that I needed for my life list.  I went there today and did indeed see the Sandpiper.

The Orchard Orioles were back in the same tree as last spring and I did get a little clearer shot of the male this time. Why is the sky always white when I go to Shelley Lake?  Someday I will actually be in an orchard and will get a beautiful photograph of an Orchard Oriole with a bright sunny blue sky!

Pairs

The theme for today at Blue Jay County Park in Raleigh is:

Pairs

Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?This male Downy Woodpecker magically turned into a female.  Just kiddin'.  There was a boy and a girl.

 A quick and very lucky shot of Purple Finches that just stopped by for a second and then flew off.

 A pair of lovely blossoming trees

 

A pair of pictures with two differing angles of this Hermit Thrush.  Thanks for posing!.

 A pair of male Brown Headed Cowbirds struttin' their stuff atop the soccer goal.

 A breeding female Cardinal with the reddest plumage I've ever seen.  The boy was nearby, of course.

Positively identified Pine Siskin.  Has nothing to do with pairs.  I just like it.