No Snow Here!

No Snow Here!

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

On Christmas day last year, after the hustle and bustle of the day was finished, I went to the beach to photograph the shorebirds. This cute “snowman” greeted me. I was thankful someone built it and left it for others to enjoy.

It rarely snows on St. Simons Island, but I remember when I was younger waking up to snow on the ground. The only other time I can “remember” it snowing was when I was in college. We made not one, but two snowmen in the front yard. I even made a snow angel.

Snow on St. Simons Island, Georgia - February 1977

I'm the one in the Winnie the Pooh hat and mask.

Snow on St. Simons Island, Georgia - 1989

Danger! Danger!

“Danger! Danger!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The least terns are nesting on St. Simons through September. I had the pleasure of watching them for several days last weekend.

These terns are the smallest in the world, but that doesn’t give them a disadvantage when it comes to attacking their enemies—ghost crabs. Ghost crabs prey on their eggs and chicks! The terns are feisty little rascals and when a crab comes near, they bond together and protect their young.

Ghost crabs are sneaky though. They will attack then bury themselves in the sand to later carry on their mayhem. Did you know they can even slightly change color to match the sand around them?

It was amazing to watch!

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Along the Shore

"Along the Shore"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I found this reddish egret one morning on the beach at St. Simons Island, Georgia. When I first found him, he was looking for breakfast in the tide pools near the dunes.

This is my favorite photograph of him as he walked along the shore. It shows the huge waves crashing behind him.

Caddy Wonky

"Caddy Wonky?"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

As I look at this snowy egret, I notice his legs are caddy wonky. One leg is going in one direction, and the other is a different direction. Maybe it's because I moved and he decided to change directions.

I don't know if I made up this term or if I am spelling it right. Google does not recognize it. Anyone ever heard this term?

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Transposed

"Transposed"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

When you see a photograph of a shell at the beach, you don't think the shell was brought from a different location because shells are found at the beach. This shell started at the beach, found it's way to my dad's house, then I took it back to the beach to photograph. I don't typically find nice shells, so I brought a few to photograph.

 Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Windblown Egret

"Windblown Egret"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I was enjoying sneaking up on this reddish egret, he was sneaking up on his breakfast. He posed for me with his natural windblown look. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia 

Much to Learn

"Much to Learn"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I have much to learn when identifying birds for my photography. Some are very easy based on their size, color, movements, and vocal calls, but others not so much. 

Their are two species of yellowlegs, the greater yellowlegs and the lesser yellowlegs. The two look very alike. It's bill length is a good indicator to distinguish the species, but I am not even going to try! 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

King Tide 2015 on St. Simons Island….a Matter of Perspective

"King Tide 2015 on St. Simons Island….a Matter of Perspective" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

When I walked out on the beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia last week, I became very excited by what I saw. I witnessed waves larger than I have ever seen on the island. They were huge!

The reddish egret I was photographing closer to the dunes was scared off by a dog. It flew and landed close to the waves. I waited till a large wave formed before I took the shot.

I researched a little about the 'king tide' and found the term is used to describe as especially high tide. A 'king tide' occurs when there is an alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun and moon and occur twice a year.

I don't know how high the tides were on St. Simons but, I read they were predicted to reach 9.9 feet on Tybee.

This photograph is a matter of perspective. The seagulls close to my camera look large while the egret is dwarfed by the huge wave. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Lurking

"Lurking"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A great egret looking for a bite to eat on the beach at St. Simons Island, Georgia.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia 

Got Ya!

"Got Ya!"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I lay on my stomach and waited for this fiddler crab to come back out of his hole. Someone may think I was hurt, so I folded my legs up behind me and wiggled them. The things I do for a photograph:) 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

A Change of Scenery

"A Change of Scenery" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

For the last three weeks I have been immersed in photographing the baby ruby-throated hummingbirds at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. I did not want to bore everyone with every blog being about the hummingbirds, so I thought I would change up the scenery for today.

I found this reddish egret on the beach at St.Simons Island, Georgia. I love the leading lines of the sand and water in this photograph.

Perfect Timing

"Perfect Timing" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

While on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I decided to photograph the waves. As I was taking my shot, a pelican was kind enough to fly by.

The Dance

 "The Dance" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Sandpipers have a hard time going slow....well, when being photographed. They move at the very quick pace making me stay on my toes to keep up with them.

It is a dance actually between the bird and the photographer. A typical 15 minute series would end up something like this.....from a low angle I set up the tripod and camera, I take a few photos, the bird walks past, I get up, walk ahead of the bird, set my tripod up again and the sequence repeats itself over and over again.

The dance is necessary to capture the shot, so it is one I don't mind.

Location: St Simons Island, Georgia