HUNTINGTON BEACH & BROOKGREEN (Day 3 - part 5)

We then drove to Brookgreen Gardens, located across the highway from state park.

Brookgreen Gardens was once part of the extensive Huntington estate. When the Huntingtons first visited the area in 1929, they were captivated by its beauty. They purchased the land which was once the property of four rice plantations, including the Brookgreen Plantation, where the current garden is now located. It opened in 1932 and features about 1,445 sculptures which were created by Anna, her sister (Harriet Randolph Hyatt Mayor) and other American sculptors.

A separate section is also a nature and wildlife preserve, which includes the Lowcountry Zoo. Its purpose included collecting, exhibiting and preserving animals of the Southeast. All of the native animals here were either bred and raised in captivity or have sustained a major disability due to injury. Either way, they would not be able to survive in the wild.

(right) "Fighting Stallions" by Anna Huntington at age 74, aluminum, placed at the entrance in 1950 to attract visitors

Click image for a larger view of the map

Our first stop was the zoo.

Lowcountry swamps were once dominated by bald cypress and tupelo gum trees. Vast areas of these swamps were cleared for rice plantations.

Inside the large Cypress Swamp Aviary

The Black-crowned Night Heron is, as its name implies, most active at night. These stocky birds often spend their days in trees. At night, they search the land, water and mudflats for food.

The black water is dyed naturally as tannins and other organic materials leach from roots and decaying leaves.

White Ibises have long legs and a long neck that they hold out straight in flight. They hunt in groups in areas with shallow still water, probing the muddy surface for insects, fish and crustaceans.

(left) South Carolina is home to about 19 different species of turtles.

The river basin is an area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. ... The real otters were sleeping but at least we got to them them in statue form.

Unlike at Huntington Beach State Park where the water flowed directly in from the nearby Murrells Inlet, this tidal water had to make its way all the way up from Winyah Bay. From the Georgetown bridge, it takes about 3.5 hours for the fresh water to be pushed back by the ocean tide to reach this exhibit.

Ebb ... and flow

Boardering the lowcountry swamps are the higher and drier ridges of the Upland Forest. Here one finds more pine trees and a different set of wildlife.

Red foxes can weigh up to 15 pounds. They are shy, solitary and hunt mostly at night.

The grey fox is smaller and can climb trees with its strong, hooked claws. During the day, they sleep in burrows and trees (obviously!).

Arriving at the Birds of Prey aviary section...

A soaking wet (and seemingly unhappy looking) bald eagle

This red-tailed hawk was brought here about 10 years ago. It had suffered wing and eye injuries, either from entanglement in a fence or a collision with a car (which unfortunately happens rather frequently).

The alligator exhibit looked empty... but we know better.

A happy Fox Squirrel

The historic rice fields now provide an excellent habitat for migratory birds.

The waterfowl aviary

A male Ruddy Duck ... This one has the striking beak of a Carolina or Wood Duck but not the usual vibrant colors. Apparently there are various mutations in captivity, including white and silver versions.

Some Fulvous Whistling Ducks ... A male Redhead

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