South Carolina Creatures

I am back in cool Virginia after spending a glorious week in warm South Carolina! The weather was beautiful for driving both ways. On the way, I was filled with anticipation and wide awake. On the drive back yesterday, I could barely keep the peepers open. It is a 7 hour drive and those 7 hours seemed to tick by more slowly than normal. It is always sad to leave, and once on the road my thoughts were of all the things I would have waiting for me back home - laundry, mail, my online class, grocery shopping, and things that I was already behind on....

Mom and I both had a real nice time ~ it is always a treat to spend time with Casey and Amanda. The weather was beautiful all week - in the 70s and sunny. We went to several consignment shops and antique shops, ate lunches at great restaurants, spent some time in downtown Charleston, and went to Daniel Island and Johns Island. I went to the beach alone one morning and walked, took photos, and pondered on the beauty of the ocean and all its gifts.

I took 614 photos while on this trip. There is so much to see and I seem to always have the camera in hand. Today, I am posting photos of some of the creatures I encountered this past week. I'll post more photos of other things in the coming days.

This little pond is minutes from Casey's house. There are 2 alligators that live in this pond and one (sometimes both) of them is often sunning on the edge of the water. One was out every day while we were there.

He is always on the opposite side of the pond from where people walk and ride bikes. Lucky for them. Do you suppose he has a fear of people?

This cute sea gull posed for me while all of his friends ran in different directions.

I was happy to see a flock of Ibis had decided to hang around the pond just in front of Casey's house. I am always fascinated with these birds and I love their long beaks.

These two were at the pond right next to one of the restaurants we went to. We used to go there for lunch often when we lived in South Carolina and there were always a pair of ducks in the pond. Could these be the same two?

Cute!

There are so many ponds, creeks, rivers, and waterways everywhere, egrets are easy to spot. I like to watch them walk in their jerky fashion.

I passed a group of vultures one day. They were eating the remains of a small deer. I took pictures of many of them feasting, but didn't think you would care to see that. So, I am only posting this lone vulture in a tree watching the others eat, patiently waiting his turn.

This little guy spent a lot of time in Casey's back yard right underneath the bird feeder that Amanda had recently filled. They have many squirrels and birds living there. It is a wooded back yard and I enjoy sitting on the porch just watching all the little creatures playing.

This beauty was pulling one of the carriages filled with tourists on a tour of historic downtown Charleston.

I had to post a shot of the beautiful moon. It looked so big and clear down there in South Carolina.

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I must say, as wonderful as it is to visit, I am always happy to be back home.

♥ Audrey