I spent a little time at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge this morning. I’d heard about the refuge from several friends – most of whom are bird photographers. With just one visit – I can understand why they love the place. It’s full of birds.

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is located just outside of Savannah, Georgia. It’s 29,000 acres are located in both Georgia and South Carolina. Parts of the refuge are located on an old rice plantation. A four mile long Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive provides access to areas frequented by migrating waterfowl. WildlifeSouth.com has a very nice guide to this section of the refuge.

One of the first sights I saw in the refuge were some dead trees filled with cormorants. Here is one of the cormorant silhouetted against the sunrise. (Thanks Dan for letting me know that this is a cormorant – not an anhinga)

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

Probably my favorite photos from the morning are of the golden light on some Spanish Moss. In a couple of different areas, the road passes through thick stands of trees covered with Spanish Moss. As the early morning sunlight passed through sections of the moss, it highlighted other areas. The effect of the light on the moss swaying in the wind was very dramatic.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

Throughout the refuge I saw all sorts of birds. Not just ducks and wading birds, but all sorts of smaller birds. I tried photographing several different birds – let’s just say my bird photography still leaves lots to be desired. I did manage to take one photo of a robin that I’m pretty happy with. You can tell what kind of bird it is, you can see its face, and it’s not too hidden by the branches of the tree it was perched in.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

I’m hoping to get back out to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge while I’m here in Savannah for the Springtime Made in the South show. I’d like to try some more photos of the Spanish Moss – I think its fascinating the way it covers the trees and moves in the light and wind.