Seeing Dolphins never gets old…
There was an exceptionally high tide that morning, allowing Dolphin to explore beyond their normal range.
These Dolphin would have traveled more than ten miles from St. Helena Sound to reach this point. Follow all the twists and turns along the yellow line I’ve drawn:
This spot is a dead end for their travels.
The pair swirled around in this pool a few times then disappeared back the way the came.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Coming back from seeing the baby Brown Pelicans we spotted several small pods of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Kiawah River. They are just plain fun to watch.
Kiawah River, SC
June 1, 2022
I see Fox Squirrels off and on as we drive through some of the SC wildlife management areas but rarely for long enough to take a picture. Twice recently I’ve had better luck.
They do have a bit of curiosity and sometimes peak back at what startled them from their squirrel activities.
A trio of Raccoons was coming towards Ted and I on a dike between two old rice fields.
I thought we had been spotted, but they kept coming.
Oh!
One made a silent U-turn.
Oh!
U-turn.
And pick up the pace!
As I passed the Armadillo Pair I was able to get a few closer images of just one.
They spent most of their time rooting through the leaves and pine needles, searching out insects to eat.
Eventually, he meandered off into the woods leaving me with an interesting view of his segmented tail.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Usually when I see an Armadillo it is partially hidden by heavy brush or making a fast exit. This was one of the few times I’ve seen Armadillos out in the open and the first time I’ve seen a pair together.
They were just off a wooded walking path, very intent with their snouts to the ground.
As I walked towards them they didn’t give any indication they heard me.
They just kept rooting around in the pine needles as I passed by.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Like nature shows on tv, our nature boat trip to Bird Key to see the Brown Pelican chicks included some mating. This time is was not birds, but Dolphins.
Our boat captain and guide spotted a pod of Dolphins on our return trip up the Kiawah River. He was quick to say he thought we’d also see some mating based on his interpretation of what we were seeing.
From our distance on a bobbing boat it was hard to say for sure, but scenes frozen by the camera tell the story. Before you scroll on I’ll tell you that even at a distance they are graphic. And amazing.
The gestation period for Bottlenose Dolphins is twelve months. Tune in a year from now and we may see a calf.
Kiawah River, SC
July 12, 2021
I stopped by the Middleton Place stable yard just as the Cashmere Goats were having their dinner.
One of the pair was plopped in the middle of their manger, hogging the hay and taking advantage of a padded eating spot.
The standing goat went for a drink then shared his take on the situation.
Middleton Place Heritage Stable yard
April 5, 2021
Middleton Place has recently added a new pair of Cashmere Goats to their Heritage Stable yard.
Goats like to climb on things.
The day I was visiting one of the goats was getting trimmed outside the pen and the one left behind wanted to know where his pal had gone. My answer didn’t satisfy him.
An Eastern Grey Squirrel looking ready for the day, posed between some resurrection fern and Spanish Moss.
