We spent February 19-21 birding the Pawleys Island area and Murrells Inlet. The majority of our birding took place in Huntington State Park, a tract of land bordered by low country marsh, impoundments, and Atlantic Ocean.
Our first excursion was on a cloudy and brisk afternoon on the ocean shore at Pawleys Island. Forster's Terns and Bonaparte Gulls fished along the shore where the surf meets the sand. It was delightful seeing these skilled fishers taking a meal from the seafoam, like this Bonaparte Gull that looks to be dancing on the water.
Late in the afternoon and seeking a meal of our own, we walked the Marsh Walk of Murrells Inlet where seafood restaurants and fishing boats crowd the walk but there are great views of the inlet and marsh grass. Brown Pelican rested on the pilings. until the fishing boats came in then they crowded around hoping to catch a stray bit of fish.
Common Loon did their own fishing, and this bird found a succulent shrimp not to far from where the pelicans were jostling for scraps.
Laughing Gull, like the loon, were still in non-breeding plumage, and like the pelican they enjoyed perching on the pilings.
Black-crowned Night Heron juvenile found a cozy tree sticking up from the reeds.
On a sunny Monday morning we headed into Huntington Beach State Park and walked the causeway that crosses marsh and shallow water impoundments. Lots of waterfowl and waders on both sides as well as songbirds. Here's a selection of what we saw there...
Little Blue Heron in non-breeding white plumage:
A close up of a breeze-tossed Snowy Egret:
Hooded Mergaser male:
Least Sandpiper:
Kildeer:
Swamp Sparrow:
On Tuesday, February 21 st we spent a good part of the afternoon at Brookgreen Gardens just across route 17 from Huntington State Park, Birds, a butterfly, and other critters live among the very old live oaks, beautiful, magical gardens, and old rice beds that are now lush wetlands. Here are some of thewild residences of Brookgreen Gardens...
Black Swallowtail butterfly:
Cedar Waxwing:
American Alligator and turtle pals:
Fox Squirrel:
Tufted Titmouse:
And Great Horned Owl on nest:
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