Evening Activity In The Marsh

Here is a sample of some of the activity that took place during the evening this past weekend. We had some of the usual suspects such as great blue herons, wood storks, and spoonbills. But there were a few surprises as well, such as this clapper rail that plucked itself a crab out of the salt marsh, and the white pelicans pictured were among a group of 40 that flew over the marsh. And of course our good friend Mr. A was out gliding along in the pond at sunset. I saw him being silhouetted by the warm gold and orange colors of the setting sunlight. 

Alligator Sunset Silhouette

Clapper Rail with Crab

GBH Evening Flight

Spoonbill Evening Flight

White Pelican Group

Wood Stork Flight

32 thoughts on “Evening Activity In The Marsh”

  2. The clapper rail is a new one for me. Have never seen one, nor heard of it either. Interesting little guy. The GBH seems to be my favorite pretty much all the time, though. Another perfect shot of one.

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    • I wrote the same to Lyle about the clapper. Clapper Rails, also known as “marsh hens” are shy, almost secretive birds that live in and around the reeds of the salt marsh. They have a very loud screeching call that when made is often answered by one or several others. But although they are frequently heard, they are seldom seen out in the open. They can occasionally be seen swimming from one section of the marsh to another, and although are perfectly capable of flight, short hops is about the most I ever see and never fully airborne above my head, they mostly just run around. This one surprisingly came out in the open and then grabbed a crab right under where I was standing.

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    • I wrote the same to Gunta about the clapper. Clapper Rails, also known as “marsh hens” are shy, almost secretive birds that live in and around the reeds of the salt marsh. They have a very loud screeching call that when made is often answered by one or several others. But although they are frequently heard, they are seldom seen out in the open. They can occasionally be seen swimming from one section of the marsh to another, and although are perfectly capable of flight, short hops is about the most I ever see and never fully airborne above my head, they mostly just run around. This one surprisingly came out in the open and then grabbed a crab right under where I was standing.

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  6. What an incredible variety of bird life and such glorious background and colours, Phil! the GBH and Spoonie are favourites, as you know, but the shot of the clapper rail is superb – what a great picture of such a shy bird!

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    • Thanks so much Maggie and you are correct about the clapper, it is a shy bird and I was happy to have this one pop out from the reeds right under where I was standing out in the salt marsh.

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    • Thank you Amy and yes it does take some practice and some patience to capture the flying birds. Plus I spend time trying to learn their behavior and habits and that can help me get successful flight photos.

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  12. Gorgeous photos. They are all doing exactly what they should be doing. I love that golden sunset water and Mr. A. And the mixture of birds, as well as the single shots. Backgrounds are lovely in setting them off.

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