Palmetto Islands County Park

I am loving these early morning walks.  A couple of places that I would like to go don't open until 9:00 am and I like to go out earlier than that.  Maybe I will be a bit later for the next outing.

Palmetto Park is also in Mount Pleasant.  We first visited years and years ago before we moved here so it was probably something like 1999 when my grandsons were little guys - and they are all grown up now.  This is a really big park for being in the city and we only visited a portion of it.  Admission is $2 per adult.  Not sure about kids.  Dogs are welcome on leash and there is also a dog park!  So, come with me as we re-explore an old favorite!

This is one of the kayak launch docks.

I was surprised there was no one fishing but it was a Monday - back to work!

Group party/picnic area

You have got to love this great swing for viewing the wildlife and just relaxing.

Another launch area.

There are little paths and walkways everywhere.

Boardwalks

There is a large observation tower for those with strong legs!

The views from the tower are fabulous.

My exploring partners!

Cypress Swamp

I love everything about living in the Lowcountry but I think the cypress swamps are my favorite!

Backcountry in the Lowcountry

The Great Swamp Sanctuary

Walterboro, SC gets a bad rap sometimes but there is much there that is beautiful!

Old Santee Canal Park

Located in Berkley County in Monck's Corner this park is one you shouldn't miss.  There are boardwalks winding all through the swamps and marshes, canoes to rent, a museum and places to picnic.  What a great find!

And More of the Winter Swamp Garden

As I left the ducks I noticed a marked trail that went into the forest right next to the pond. I had never seen it before and didn't know where it went - but it couldn't be too scary as I was at Magnolia Gardens - right?? Surely it would come out at some desirable place. Well, I have lived with Kirby long enough to know that I HAD to do this! And was I ever glad that I did. It turned out to be a short trail that is not on any of the literature nor is it on any maps or information boards that I have seen. But it was clearly marked and well kept up. Come along with me.... it was really fun!

There were a few areas that had raised boardwalk but most of the trail was just well maintained DIRT.

The trail ran right along the side of the pond so it was very swampy.

Winter was in full bloom with the carpet of leaves.

One spot was not "well maintained" but I managed to get around it!

Winter in the Swamp

And - picking up where we left off....I walked another circle because I wasn't ready to quit and go home and then I decided to deviate from our normal route. that was a really good plan!

Ah, the pine cones! And pine cones with Spanish moss on them at that!  I never ever tire of views like this!  Nor do I tire of views like the one below.  I had walked by here earlier and seen the alligator...this time it was just pure pretty!

And this picture I took just because it entertained me.  I pretended there was an alligator....do you see him?  And that mossie thing is some critter in the water.  Anyway - I was just having fun!

And then I found the ducks.  These are green winged teals.  The male above and the female below.  (If I am wrong, then someone PLEASE correct me!)

There were lots and lots of them!  And more than the picture couldn't capture. They were feeding on the Duck Weed - that is the green stuff on the water.  It is not algae which I thought it was for a long time.

I couldn't see these guys well enough to even guess at what they are but they certainly didn't like me being there and I was quiet - but obviously not quiet enough!

Winter Swamp Walk - The Ibis

Thanks for joining me on my Swamp Walk. As I moved on past the heron, I walked quietly alone and noticed that the few people I encountered were doing the same as I was...walking quietly. Mostly we just smiled at each other, not wanting to break the spell of the quiet and the wildlife. I took this picture of a trees gnarl - just because. I liked the tree and thought it was interesting.

And then I spotted the Ibis not too far away.  I took many of pictures as they were feeding.

Look closely at the pictures and I think you will agree that they have BLUE EYES!  I love it!  They are beautiful. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Now this guy must be pretty old.  Just look at his eye.  It is not blue, it is bulging and cloudy.  I feel so sad for him but he is actually just like us....adapting to our age.  He is continuing to do what he does but probably not as well as he used to and maybe he has some pains to go with it.  I think he needs cataract surgery!

Winter Walk in a Swamp Garden

I decided to begin my year doing one of my favorite things - touring the Swamp Garden at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Come along with me and I will share with you some of the special treats of winter in a swamp garden. There is so much hidden treasure that when I left I felt lighter and could breath easier. I will add a few pictures each day so come along and enjoy the tour.

I entered the park and before I could even get parked, I spotted a group of Peacocks grazing.  (is that what they do?)  So, I pulled over real quick and got as close as I dared to without frightening them.  After taking my requisite 6 or 8 pictures, I proceeded to the ticket booth. (I can NEVER take just one picture of something!)  In the summer when it is busy they have a person selling tickets to the swamp garden right there but this time of year, you have to go to the main ticket office and then get back in the car and drive to the swamp.  It is worth it!  My ticket for just the swamp was $8.  I know there is a way to sneak in but I feel like I get my money's worth out of this place and am happy to be able to be there.

I parked at the Audubon Swamp Garden and then used the code they had given me to open the big gate that leads to this great boardwalk.  You can see how brown it becomes in the winter.  And in the summer it is so green it almost hurts your eyes!

Searching for wildlife I almost missed this guy - he was swimming away from me when I saw him.

The trees were bare except for this large clump of mistletoe.

The sky was crystal clear and the sun was warm but my hands were freezing.  I kept searching the tree tops until I found what I was looking for -

This big heron is guarding her nest.  I always think of heron as "him" because they really look very masculine but don't you think this must be a female? 

Check back tomorrow for more!