Roseate Spoonbill

Today, we visited the burial site of the crew of the H.L. Hunley at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston. While there, we saw this massive spoonbill standing near a tree overhanging the lake. I walked onto a little footbridge that crossed the water so I could take a photo. After a few steps, I heard a big splash, I knew right away that an alligator was under me. Sure enough, it swam out from under the bridge. It was a good-sized gator and it kept its eye on me. I think I scared it a bit, but it scared me more.