Category Archives: Biridng Trips and Tours in SC

Biridng Trips and Tours in SC

Anhinga fish flipping

By Sally Siko

One of the most fascinating species of birds that I enjoy photographing are Anhingas.
While on a recent birding trip at Huntington Beach State Park I was lucky enough to observe this one using its sharp bill to spear a fish, flip it into the air, and then swallow it head-first!



Anhingas are actually a species that is on the increase here in the Tarheel State. They favor habitats containing freshwater with cypress trees and are most often spotted hunting for a meal in swamps, ponds and lakes in the coastal plain and in the eastern Piedmont regions.



As you may have guessed, Anhingas eat a wide range of aquatic creatures such as fish, crayfish, small invertebrates, insects, and frogs.
Masters of underwater hunting expeditions, they are super entertaining to watch wrangling a meal.
In fact, they’ve evolved with some unique ways to hunt underwater more efficiently.

For one, they lack the water proofing oils found in duck species. Since (surprisingly) they’re not the strongest swimmers, they become waterlogged once their feathers become saturated. This added weight allows the Anhinga to dive deeper than it could if it was waterproof.

Another specialized feature of the Anhinga is that they do not have nostrils. This adaptation means they’ve got no worries about accidentally breathing in water while hunting below the surface.

As for the fish flipping technique shown here?
Well by tossing the fish into the air, the Anhinga is trying to manipulate its prey into a head-first downward position so that the fish doesn’t get caught in its throat.
Pretty cool, huh?

I think that it’s neat that a bird that looks like it belongs in the Jurassic Period would actually be the one species which is holding the latest in cutting edge freshwater hunting physiology, lol!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the full frame beast of an SLR, the mighty @canonusa
#5Ds

Biridng Trips and Tours in SC

A Tricolored Heron in Murrells Inlet South Carolina

By Sally Siko

Whenever I travel to the coast to go birding, I’m always happy to catch a glimpse of a Tricolored Heron.
These guys are beautiful birds and are interesting to watch while hunting for a meal.



I found this one earlier this month while birding at Huntington Beach State Park, SC.
Head moving from side to side, he moved through the water slowly, scanning the surface like a cat stalking it’s prey. When the heron spotted a fish, he froze momentarily as he lined up his shot, then struck into the water like a dart.
I’d estimate his catch rate at about 70% which wasn’t bad considering most of the fish I’d seen were small minnows.



Though Tricolored Herons are a year round resident of North Carolina, they are technically a migratory species which tend to over winter here in lesser numbers than which are found during the summer.
They prefer to hunt and nest in salt and brackish water areas such as tidal marshes and mudflats found along our coastlines but Tricolored’s may also occasionally be spotted looking for a meal in freshwater environments (especially marshes & shallow ponds) in the inland areas of eastern part of the state.
One has even showed up earlier this month in the Raleigh area (central part of the state) which was pretty neat!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

Biridng Trips and Tours in SC, Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

In which I nearly get stuck in a ditch: A Cattle Egret encounter in South Carolina

By Sally Siko

One of the nice things about birding is that there’s always the potential to be surprised and delighted by unexpected finds while on the road.
In this case, I got lucky and spotted a flock of cattle regrets while driving home from Huntington Beach State Park across the South Carolina/North Carolina border.



As soon as I saw them, I stopped in the road and then backed up to park on the grassy shoulder alongside the field.
*That’s a charitable way of saying that I ripped it off the road and almost backed up into a 4 foot deep ditch lol!
Never mind the fact my car was resting on three wheels now.
This was a problem for future me though, there were birds to see!
Btw, my car’s all-wheel-drive made it a snap to get out of that ditch easily…
This is why I own a @subaru_usa , right?
Lol!


My timing was nearly perfect until another car pulled up and stopped, (presumably to look at the cows) and scared the birds, causing them to scatter.
Happily, I was able to snap off a few shots of these beautiful birds before the entire flock took off across the road.



Cattle Egrets are a summertime resident of the Tarheel State but are a rare sight during the winter and even more so here in central North Carolina.
They breed in colonies on our barrier islands and inland in our southeastern counties on lakes and river that are in close proximity to agricultural fields.
As their name suggests they may be found feeding in the pastures looking for insects kicked up by herds of cattle.
Look for them in North and South Carolina’s southeastern coastal counties from mid March- early November.

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

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New Bird Watching Trips / Group Birding Tours in North Carolina, South Carolina & Texas have been added for 2022 & 2023

By: Sally Siko -Admin Best Life Birding

Pack your bags, let’s go birding!!!!

Birders and bird loving photographers of all skill levels are invited to join me, Sally Siko as we explore the trails, woods, fields and shorelines of the United States in search of interesting birds. From the mountains to the coast, the Triangle and everywhere in between, there are plenty of great species to get out and enjoy throughout the year.

In addition to local trips here in the Triangle, new birding tour dates and locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas have been added to my calendar including Bynum Bridge, Pea Island NWR, Ft.Fisher & High Island, TX. Click on the dates marked in green in the box below for more information.

Book today as space is limited on these small group tours 🙂


Shown below is the Best Life Birding Instagram feed featuring of some of the species I’ve found for my guests here in the United States.

The year isn’t over yet though. I can’t wait to help you add more birds to your list too!