Liquid Magic – Kiawah’s Beach and its Birds
To me, this week’s “liquid” challenge called for a post highlighting Kiawah’s amazing 10-mile beach. Rather than focus on its beauty, I’ve chosen to feature the incredible birds that thrive on its waters and the life teeming within them.
“I will find comfort in the rhythm of the sea.”
Charlotte Eriksson
Birds of all sizes and shapes arrive throughout the year to feast on our shores. Royal terns such as those in my opening image and the one below dwarf the tiny plovers and dunlins who also enjoy a place to rest as they access the nutrients in our waters. This past year a local program was initiated to educate residents and visitors about the importance of leaving the birds undisturbed as they use our shores to prepare for the next phase of their migration.
“Be alone with the sea for it is there you will find answers to questions you didn’t realize exist.”
Khang Kijarro Nguyen
Although I must admit I felt a bit like a voyeur, I was amazed by the mating rituals of our feathered friends as they frolicked among the waves. Should I apologize for having invaded their privacy by photographing the scene below? Apparently the smaller birds weren’t the least bit interested!
“We have the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us”
Suzanne van der Veeken
As one who appreciates the beauty, power and absolute criticality of our oceans, I find myself thinking about the issues we humans can influence. Issues like proposed seismic testing, plastic pollution, overfishing and of course climate change are several things on which each of us can have an impact. What are YOU doing to make sure our children will be able to enjoy the oceans tomorrow as we do today?
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I always love your juxtaposition of photos and quotes, enhanced by your talent and perspective. My laptop and internet connection were causing problems for a while so I was not able to view the blogs I subscribe to regularly. A few–including yours–are ones I did not want to miss and I knew I would go back to see what I had missed. Incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Patti, thank you so much for the lovely compliment. Hopefully your tech issues are behind you and you can rejoin us as we move into the brave, new, non-WPC world!
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Beautiful shots of those “shore birds”.
Thanks John, they’re great fun to shoot
Love Frick and Frack, Tina, and your important points about ocean conservation.
Thanks Jane – there were an amazing number of birds that morning, which made me think about how important the ocean’s nutrients are for their survival – and of course ours.
Too bad there isn’t more of a national and worldwide effort to save it.
Regarding your test post: gongratulations you have passed the test. As for the current post, I need some time to regain my composure and stop blushing after being exposed to the bird lovers 10 mile long mating rituals! Fricking and fracking beautiful photos
LOL, loved your last line!
Great images. Yes, we have to be good stewards of what we have been entrusted.
Many thanks Ron
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Great bird shots Tina…luv the header shot…nicely done 🙂
Thanks andy
Magic indeed Tina. Beautiful post 🙂
Many thanks andrew
My pleasure
Your liquid magic is beautiful! Let’s us do our best to ensure it remains that way.
Thanks Helen – with you all the way!
beautiful post….so free & childlike….there plenty we can do…we just must be aggressive about it!!
Thanks April, aggressive indeed!
Wonderful photos Tina. What a wonderful variety of birdlife and all so different to what I am used to seeing.
Thanks Irene, we are very fortunate to have such a great variety of shorebirds here
Beautiful photos Tina !! I recently read where straws have become a problem – I think they are not giving them out in some of the restaurants on the OBX unless requested. Great idea!!
I think it’s a great idea. Our Ladies golf group here is leading the charge to do away with plastic water bottles. I think every little bit helps!
Reblogged this on Success Inspirers' World and commented:
Lovely!
Thanks for the reblog!
You are welcome!
Lovely pics Tina, makes me want to walk along that beach. I completely agree about looking after our oceans, we take them for granted. Did you know about plastic-free July? That’s an opportunity to encourage people to change thoughtless habits.
I did NOT know about it but think it’s a great idea! Will spread the word, thanks Margaret!
Yes, Google it, there’s a website.
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Great pictures! I have to agree that all of us have a part to play to care for the ocean.
Thanks hero!
Nice shots. 🙂 Several restaurants are now asking if you want a straw and if so a lot of times they are paper which is a good move. I also recycle everything, and the amount of actual trash I have to dispose of each week gets smaller and smaller.
Wish they’d outlaw plastic straws. Paper is just fine!
Nicely captured. I especially liked the opening mid-flight shot. They shift in an instant.
They sure do Jane, thanks
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Wonderful bird shots all round, Tina. Lovely blue hues in the water too. Don’t think you need to apologies for invading their privacy. If they were mad, they’d probably have flown right at you 😂
LOL, probably true Mable. Obviously exhibitionists 😊
Beautiful shots, Tina. When I think of words that go with the sea, I often think of Rod McKuen’s “My Friend the Sea” and remember hearing him “sing” it. Good memories.
janet
I remember it well Janet! Are we showing our age?!😊
🙂 Right around the same time, I remember Judy Collins singing “Suzanne”, also by Rod, if I’m remembering correctly. Heck, I remember seeing the Beetles on Ed Sullivan and all the great British Invasion music. Good times.
Bird watching on the seashore is indeed medicinal. Ain’t a voyeur, Tina, these birds have no bedroom manners. Vancouver voted to ban plastic straws a step in the right direction.
Excellent point Perpetua ! Love the straw law!
Beautiful shots and an excellent posting Tina.
Many thanks Maverick
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous images, Tina. As always!
Thanks Angela
Don’t forget to cut up the plastic holder that keeps six-pack sodas together. Don’t want these around birds, or other animals’, necks. Thanks for those shots of our feathered friends.
Excellent point Sharon!
Tina, how wonderful they are, and how fortunate you were to be able to photograph them.
Truly beautiful images.
Fortunate indeed Lisa. They’re a wonderful subject
Frick and Frak is my favourite photo among a selection of lovely ones. For me I am trying to cut down on plastic. I understand there are plastic rings that hold drink cans together that can be eaten by fish.I am looking for those in the grocery stores.
Thanks Ann, yes and turtles get stuck in them. Very sad
How lucky those birds have the environment where you live to recover and rest before the next phase of their journey. If only all oceans were as pristine the world would be a better place.
Happily we are quite a haven for them and are ever-vigilant about our environment. I’m trying hard to reduce my plastic usage but it sure is tough these days Pauline
I always take my reusable bags to the supermarket and as of next month plastic bags are being banned from supermarkets in our area. That’s good news, but it needs much more
Beautiful images.
Thanks very much MM
Love love love these birds…. always make me smile…
Thanks GF. Me too 😊
Great first quote, and your focus on the oceans and their fragility and strength are apt in today’s political environment. How can anyone not understand the connection between the health of Mother Nature and human nature? It’s a puzzle that confounds me. Enjoyed each of your images.
Me too Sally. I guess people believe what they want to, evidence to the contrary or not 😢
Lovely images and important messages.
Thanks Rupali
I just love that first quote, Tina! Love your photos and the calming blue colors!
Thanks Terri. Usually our ocean here is rather gray but that day was perfect!
Colours and slender shapes – beautiful pictures of bird life. And yes – save our oceans. What are we doing…?
What indeed Leya 😢. Thanks for stopping by
How wonderful! Great images. Love the birds.
Thanks very much Olga
Excellent photography.
Many thanks!
Beautiful images Tina, it looks like a wonderful beach to explore the wildlife! :o) xxx
It sure is Xenia—lucky is!
Great images, those terns always make me smile.
Me too Ellen, thanks!
Lovely pictures. Good thing birds don’t need to “get a room!”
LOL thank goodness they’re such show offs!
Adore all the bird life where we live! Especially loved Frick and Frack!
Thanks Laurel!