Pinckney Island Natural Wildlife Reserve

Pinckney Island is named after Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, the cousin of the guy whose farm I visited on Monday. Him and his family owned the island and cultivated it for over 200 years. The island was donated to the government in 1975 and the Wildlife Reserve was established.

There are deer and alligators on the island, but none were in evidence this morning. I saw a sign that said the alligators kinda hibernated during the winter but I'll swing by there tomorrow to get in some pics of the morning fog and maybe shoot me some deer - take photos, that is. If you get there early enough there's not a soul around. Except for the droning of the highway a mile away you feel like you're in another place; indeed another time. Squirrels play in the trees, birds chirp and quack and holler. Things move about in the undergrowth. Peace reigns. Ahhhh.

All pics here.

This was the first scene that greeted me when I'd taken the exit from Highway 278 and had gone ten seconds on the tiny road out to the island.


This was the scene at the parking lot. Sunbeams shining down like it was a fuckin' film set.




Any South Carolinian will understand the symbolism of this photo.


There were several of these little oasises on nearby islands and on Pinckney itself. God only knows what creeps and crawls around there, but it sure looks cozy.


Typical coastal landscape in South Carolina.


Purdy butterflies.




Tease? Who the fuck teases an alligator??? The trail guide pamphlet at the head of the walk said "An occasional alligator may be encountered near any pond or on the adjacent trails. Do not molest this reptile in any way." Really, South Carolina? People molesting alligators is a problem in your fair state? Even if someone was stupid enough to attempt it, I'd imagine the conversation going along the lines of:
"You got a purdy mouth on ya...aaaaaaaaaaaargh!"
*chomping & crushing of bones*
*sound of crickets*


Here be alligators!


Or maybe here?


There is a Jurassic Park quality to this scenery.


I was going to take a picture of this bird while it was sitting on the ground, but as I readied my camera, it took to its wings.


Then it settled nicely in a nearby tree, so I could get in some good shots from up close. I have no idea what type of bird it is, possibly some kind of hawk?




In the morning hours you'll see lots and lots of places like this, where the sun shines through the dense branches to create "magic".