Update: Long White Bridge, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

July 31, 2020 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

Yesterday I went to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for the first time since the Long White Bridge was damaged on July 7.

In an email update today Magnolia said that “during an inspection on Thursday morning, July 8 that the hard realities were revealed.”

“Decking boards were pulled up. Upright posts with railing and lattice detail were analyzed. Copper sheeting for waterproofing under the deck and 100 years of assorted hardware, straps and layers of wood structure were exposed. On that brilliant morning, the bridge showed every one of its 180 years of age.”

Two South Carolina companies have joined forces to recreate the bridge: one that specialize in old growth wide planks and slabs, including recovery of old growth sinker cypress and heart pine and another that custom mills lumber products.

A Little Blue Heron, just visible in the lower left corner, had the best view of the exposed bridge structure.

Access to the immediate area of the bridge is restricted for safety, limiting what you can see. Enlarge this close up for more detail on the condition and how the bridge was put together in the 1840s.

Amazingly, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens reports that no one heard or saw the tree that landed on the bridge come down.

“At 6:00 PM, the bridge was whole. At 8:00 PM, more than forty percent of the railing was in pieces and the structure was torqued in both the vertical and horizontal planes.”

View from the back side of the bridge, with a temporary structure for worker access. Remember, there are Alligators in this water!

The next image is a similar view that I took in March.

Long White Bridge, March 2020 — Long White Bridge, Back Side, March 16, 2020

This small replica of the bridge was the centerpiece of a display at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC for their 2019 Gardens Across America exhibit.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 30, 2020

Quotes from Magnolia Plantation & Gardens public email and Facebook page, July 31, 2020

My other photos of the Long White Bridge

Raptor

Swallow-tailed Kite

July 27, 2020 Ellen Jennings 19 Comments

We’ve been seeing a few Swallow-tailed Kites around, including one flying over our house last week, so I wasn’t surprised to spot a group of 10 or 15 circling over one of the marshes this morning.

These raptors feed by snatching insects, often dragonflies, out of the air or off their perch on a tree or reed.

Their flight skills are just amazing and they make full use of their tail and wings to swoop and dive.

A mix of Swallow-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, and few terns were working this area.

Swallow-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, Gulls

Building

Chapel of Ease, St. Helena

July 26, 2020 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home.

Fire, in this case natural, brought an end to this chapel on St. Helena Island, just off Beaufort.

Historical preservation organizations are fighting a battle against the natural elements and some human interference to preserve these buildings.

The massive live oaks on this property stand like guards over the building but may ultimately contribute to the chapel’s demise.

Reptiles

Between the Knees

July 25, 2020 Ellen Jennings 18 Comments

From the still wet duckweed you could tell this young Alligator had recently climbed out of the pond.

I hadn’t spotted him until I was right up to him. I backed up to get a view of him threaded through the Cypress Knees.

Young Alligator, Cypress Knees, Duckweed

And back a little more to capture the whole pond-side scene.

Wading Birds

Yellow-crowned Night-heron Flying By

July 18, 2020 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A Yellow-crowned Night-heron cruising around the pond, for no particular reason that I could see.

He made a few loops then disappeared into the trees.

Wading Birds

Flight Control

July 17, 2020 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

This Great Egret was not just passing by using that elegant egret glide I’ve come to love; he was on a mission.

Note the extended short feathers at the wing bend and the angle of the outer part of the wing.

He made a sharp turn right above me, providing an interesting view of his wing structure.

He circled lower then dropped down into the edge of the pond, just out of my sight.

Flowers

Pink Hibiscus

July 13, 2020 Ellen Jennings 12 Comments

Another outstanding Hibiscus, with delicate pinks leading into a burst of magenta.

The side view hides the boldness of the middle.

Songbirds

Vireo Nest, Empty

July 11, 2020 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

I’ve checked back on the White-eyed Vireo nest from my June 15th post a few times, and about a week later got a similar image, without the rain.

Two weeks later, the nest was empty. Could chicks have hatched and fledged in that short time? All About Birds says their nestling period is 9 – 11 days, so yes it is possible.

Once I was sure there were no birds in the nest I got closer for a side view. Although a bit shabby looking at the bottom, what an engineering marvel this nest was.

Also from All About Birds:

Males and females build a pendulous nest suspended from a Y-shaped fork. They collect insect silk and spiderweb and attach it to the fork until it makes a lacy shell. They then stick leaves, bark, plant fibers, rootlets, and bits of paper to the spiderweb shell. They also stick lichens, moss, or leaves to the outside for additional camouflage. The female lines the nest with rootlets, fine grass, or hair. It takes the pair around 3–5 days to complete the nest.

Landscape

Long White Bridge, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

July 10, 2020 Ellen Jennings 14 Comments

I’ve taken hundreds of pictures of the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens over the last five years. Even when there isn’t anything extra going on, like blooming azaleas, a Great Blue Heron hunting, or a perfect reflection–it just calls out to be photographed. I took this image the last time I was there, July 3rd.

On Tuesday this week a large tree on the left end of the bridge came down on the bridge. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but there was extensive damage to the structure. The bridge dates to the 1840s and plans are underway to rebuild promptly and exactly as it was.

My other photos of the Long White Bridge

Raptor

Barred Owl With Lizard for Lunch

July 10, 2020 Ellen Jennings 9 Comments

This Barred Owl sat quietly with his catch, a Five-lined Skink, a common lizard in South Carolina.

After squeezing it with his beak for a bit he transferred it to his talon. You can see the tail dangling below the branch in this next image.

I didn’t see any sign of life in the lizard, but the owl kept a firm hold for six or seven minutes before flying off with it.

Passing By Photo

Monthly Archives: July 2020