We are used to seeing Alligators in swamps, on riverbanks, and around marshes. These two found sunny spots that were more genteel looking. The first one was snoozing in a large patch of lawn clover.
Another found a slightly shaded spot on a manicured lawn. The water is a man-made reflecting pool on the grounds of Middleton Place, a historical plantation known for its formal gardens.
Surrounded by a formal box hedge this Iris is a real stand out.
I heard the “tat tat tat” over my head and finally spotted a Downy Woodpecker on the underside of a branch just above me, industriously pecking away.
He spiraled around the limb, tatting as he went.
Finished inspecting that branch, he moved into a tree that has leafed out and quickly disappeared into the greenery.
Gardens are tucked into the sides and rear of many homes on the Charleston Peninsula where space is at a premium. Most are separated from the sidewalk in this residential area by fences and gates but peeking through on a casual walk around these neighborhoods reveals many delights.
Some of the fences or walls are covered with plants and include some reptilian occupants peeking back out.
These Iris were swaying in the breeze behind a fence with wide slats.
The well-tended garden below was a colorful oasis backed by a green hedge.
This home has a below ground entry that is guarded by a gate, a lion and a pot of geraniums.
Many of the house lots are so narrow that there is just the house and the paved area to one side. Pots are the only way to make a garden here.
We wandered the Charleston, SC peninsula along Church, Water and King Streets yesterday morning and I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing presentation of flower boxes.
Houses and businesses of all architectural styles have decorated with flowers.
Some of the containers match the building and others are a cascade of flowers and you can’t really tell.
Most of these are private homes and plantation shutters for privacy on the inside are common.
Most of these buildings also have functional exterior shutters that can be closed for hurricanes.
Many of the boxes stuck to a monochromatic theme.
This little garden seems overloaded with color and style.
Off the beaten path, this road that winds through the former Mary’s Island Plantation takes you back in time. Spring rains and sunshine have brought out the green.
The female Great Egret that I featured yesterday performing the mating dance finally had a prospective mate drop by.
They each gave the other the once over.
They displayed some affection.
Somehow the male just didn’t measure up and was gold to GO.
Undaunted, the female shook herself off and started over.
This Great Egret was putting her all into attracting a mate. She may have figured out the pool of potential mates is shrinking. Most of the other Great Egrets are sitting on eggs and a few have chicks.
Live Oaks with arched limbs line the entry way to many southern plantations and this spring the Azaleas under those arches have been spectacular.
One of the most photographed spots at Charleston’s Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, the Long White Bridge is a hot spot of activity this week with the Azaleas in full bloom.
This has been a banner year for Azaleas in the tri-county area. After last year’s disappointment with a late March freeze that severely limited the blooms, the colors are especially welcome this spring.
