SC_trip.htm



South Carolina - from Savannah downtown to Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, 694 Beech Hill Lane, Hardeeville, SC 29927

South Carolina in one week: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/south-carolina/263916#sthash.FJADqEF9.dpbs

A blog: http://owlyxx.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/charleston-sc-trip-%E6%9F%A5%E5%B0%94%E6%96%AF%E9%A1%BF%E6%B8%B83-angel-oak-cypress-gardens/

Even in December, there are a lot of birds:

 

http://pluffmudperspectives.blogspot.com/2012/03/cypress-gardens-in-december.html

 

We arrived early in the morning and began exploring first the Northern Nature Trail.  This trail circumnavigates a swampy woodland which included the usual cypress and tupelo gum trees bordered also by several pines.  This habitat is known to be a rookery for vultures.  Though it was not nesting season, the vultures still used this area for roosting.  Needless to say we saw MANY vultures -- both Black and Turkey.

 

We returned to the Main Trail and we were very pleased with the general "birdiness" of this area -- Carolina Chickadees, American Robins, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Golden Crowned Kinglets, Pine Warblers, Brown Thrashers, Northern Mockingbirds, Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks (very shy), Song Sparrows, White-Throated Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinals, etc.  Carl captured these 2 wonderful images of the 2 morphs of the White-Throated Sparrows: Tan-Striped and White-Striped.

 

I have often found Northern Flickers difficult birds to photograph as they rarely sit still and they love the treetops.  So here is my best effort of the day.

 

After exploring the Main Path, we ventured off down the Perimeter Trail where we saw Brown-Headed Nuthatches, White-Breasted Nuthatches, many American Robins, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, more Wood Ducks, of course and this Pileated Woodpecker. 


http://www.ahoycharleston.com/why-hollywood-loves-cypress-gardens/  

Cypress Gardens, situated in Moncks Corner, approximately 40 minutes from downtown Charleston, is one of the most stunning off-the-beaten-path places to visit in the greater Charleston area. Here, you’ll find a beautiful butterfly garden, three miles of walking paths and nature trails, a Nature Center & Children’s Garden, a  Swamparium, a Heritage Museum, three HUGE alligators (fenced in, of course), and a plethora of beautiful sites. Much of the area’s 170 acres can be explored by foot or via canoe.

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151655474123615.1073741827.57297138614&type=1  


Angel Oak Tree - tripadvisor
3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455

Cypress Gardens, 3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461 - info-1
Direction:
   From Angel Oak to Cypress Gardens
   From downtown Charleston to Cypress Gardens, about 45 min. - map-1

Folly Beach - referred to by locals as the "Edge of America". From painted sunrises and sunsets, to rich history, good food and expansive beaches, FollyBeach.com provides essentials to give residents and visitors alike a new awareness of this unique and charming island town.

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