Saturday, the 26th we took a day off.
Sunday, the 27th we visited Caw Caw Interpretive Nature
Center which is a county park & Angel Oak Tree Park.
We had a bit of a dilemma before we left for the day as the
storm is supposed to hit us on Monday and we had planned to visit a Plantation
and we debated doing that today because of the good weather. Caw Caw is closed
on Monday & Tuesday so it was do it today or not at all, but we didn’t want
to miss the Plantation either. One last check of the weather predictions (which
have not been all that accurate) and Greg said that though Monday is supposed
to dump inches of rain it is predicted to move out overnight and be nice on
Tuesday. So, we did visit Caw Caw today and our crossing our fingers for good
weather on Tuesday. (after we got there their sign said they are open Tuesday despite what the website said)
After such great birding at the Beidler Forest, today was
not as fruitful. It is a beautiful walk with around 7 miles of trails, there
was really not much in the way of birdlife today. There are several habitats
for the opportunity to see different birds & other critters, such as Upland
Forest, Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Swamp trail with a boardwalk over it, Rice
Fields, Waterfowl trail, Marshland Trail, Maritime Forest and a Habitat Loop.
We had hoped to see Wood Ducks and I think we got a glimpse
of 2 taking off from a pond, but we didn’t get a great look. (they are the only
ducks here this time of year so it had to be them). We hardly heard very many
birds and oddly despite all the water, we saw no wading birds at all. We did
see an immature Indigo Bunting and there were a lot of them on one trail, but
they were very elusive. Saw a few butterflies and dragonflies and of course
those pretty spiders.
rice fields
immature Indigo Bunting
walking trail
walking trail
moss covered walking path
Carolina Wren
We left and headed for lunch at Gilligan’s. Hushpuppies that
were breaded with Old Bay Seasoning in them and they were to die for. I had a
Crabcake & Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and Greg had a fried Oyster platter.
Very good! It wasn't rated well in reviews, but it was what was in the area and most of the reviews were about service. We had good service and the food was good!
Gilligan's is the restaurant and the Island Porch is for events
Gilligan's - Island Porch - clever....
tasty hushpuppies
Crabcake & Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Fried Oysters
We then went in search of the Angel Oak Tree. Wow, it was
crowded there! Spanning more than 1,700 square feet and reaching 65 feet at its
upper branches and is hundreds of years old. It sits in a small park.
the tree in the middle is the Oak
me in the midst of the meandering limbs
Greg next to the main trunk
me standing next to the trunk in the middle
From the website of the Angel Oak Tree:
"The Angel Oak Tree is estimated to be in excess of
400-500 years old, stands 66.5 ft tall, measures 28 ft in
circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet.
From tip to tip Its longest branch distance is 187 ft. There is
considerable debate about the age of the Angel Oak. Some contend that it
is 1,500 years old. Most believe that the more conservative estimates are
more accurate. The Angel Oak Tree is thought to be one of the oldest living
things in the country. The land where the Angel Oak Tree stands was part of
Abraham Waight’s 1717 land grant. The City of Charleston now owns the property."
Because of the tropical storm dumping rain tomorrow we will visit Magnolia Plantation on Tuesday instead of tomorrow.
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