Life Birds at Hilton Head, South Carolina

On our family trip to Hilton Head this summer, while the family spent time at the beach in the sun playing in the ocean, I took time to visit several spots for birding. My favorite and one I went to for 3 days was Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, a small island in the middle of tidal flats. I had done no research other than saw it on a map, but I found it was the breeding spot for many herons, ibis and egrets. I wanted to share some of my favorite shots of the life birds I saw at the island. The Painted Bunting is a bird I have always wanted to see and to be able to view and listen to multiples of this pretty bird all 3 days was amazing. It's song similar but distinct from the Indigo Bunting I am used to. As it liked to sit up high, and often backlit by sun, not many good photos were captured.

I think a juvenile bunting

The White Ibis were the most numerous nesting in the trees and single birds to formations of 10 were very common flying in all directions. The adults have the darker red faces.
The Wood Stork always seemed unattractive in the books, but it had a dignified grace.
The Tri-colored Heron is a pretty bird that has some interesting colors as a juvenile, and I especially love the prickly head some sport.

Juvenile

Not the best in focus shot, but love the look

Adult

From 2-13