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!

Shem Creek Park

The next place we visited was Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant.  It is a fairly new park and I though I had died and gone to heaven the first time I visited.  Walking on a boardwalk with the marshlands all around me, shrimp boats, fishing boats, water everywhere and quaint restaurants.  I took way too many pictures but you will get to see what I am talking about.  Here we go!

There are a few ways to access the park and I chose the main entrance.

Up close and personal with the shrimp boats!

Looking across Shem Creek to a couple of shrimp boats.

Vickery's is a very popular restaurant right on the creek.

This is Red's, which is my favorite place on the creek when I want to people watch, have a cold beer or a glass of wine and a nice southern meal.

This is Lacey, my grand-dog who was so good about letting me take pictures.

I have taken pretty much this same picture more than once because I love seeing the Arthur Ravenel Bridge in the distance.

There is just this one small hammock in the park where you can spend a bit of time in the shade on a hot and sunny day.

Never give up.  Never let anything stop you from enjoying the things that bring you pleasure.

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!