Just up Ocean Highway from Pawleys Island and its beaches, in Murrels Inlet we have another wild and wonderful place to walk and bike, Huntington Beach State Park. It's a nice bargain for seniors, half the normal price for the year for our car and whoever we want to bring along. And that includes acres of beach, nature programs, hiking and biking trails, and tours of Atalaya, the home of the couple who gave the park lands to the state in 1960.
The road into the park passes through a freshwater marsh lined with wood storks in the trees with many more fishing in the water. On either side are trails and observation platforms occupied by birders laden with their big scopes and camera lenses.
Something caught my eye along the path at the edge of the marsh, a "log" that was moving in the water.
Just don't get too close to the "log"!
You can see another young gator behind and to the right.
This beautiful cedar was on the path to the beach.
I wonder how many storms it has stood through and survived through the years.
I thought I would give you a break from beach pictures so we will just stop here in the parking lot.
I agree!
Posted with Blogsy
very nice post.. I would love to stroll around this park on one fine morning.. :)
ReplyDeleteWatch out for those gators! You have lots of beautiful places to explore near you.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that there is nothing wrong with your observation
ReplyDeletefacilities. "Logs" with teeth are not to be stroked with
loving hands, eh?
Well then again some people like to have a hand removed, saves
washing two hands, one is much faster to wash, eh?
Cheers
Colin
Friday 23rd Septmeber: Up date on "logs with teeth"!
DeleteUp north (Mackay) at a wildlife reptile park, the 66 year old
owner who plays with death daily (venomous snakes -which Australia
has in plentiful varieties and numbers and crocs.) had his hand bitten
off yesterday afternoon while "playing" with a 4.5 metre croc.
That'a lot of croc. to plaY with!!
The croc. started the rolling stunt as it edged towards the water
but other staff were able to grab the 66 year old and pull him out
of the mouth.
What fun and horror for the spectators???
So Cynthia and Paul, be careful when strolling and exploring
around those swampy marshlands.
Oh and yes, don't take your dogs - crocs. love dogs!
Colin
That's awful! I think crocs are more aggressive than alligators, but we will certainly be careful.
DeleteYou certainly are blessed with beautiful areas for a stroll in your part of the world. Stunning tree, I bet that could tell a tale or two.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful area and to see crocs is amazing. Don't put your hand in the water :)
ReplyDeleteA lovely peaceful looking area Cynthia...despite the alligators! Lol
ReplyDeleteI've been to Pawley's Island/Litchfield Beach several times. I'll have to remember Huntington Beach Park for a future visit - although fear of 'logs' might inhibit my enjoyment. Love your license plate!
ReplyDeleteSo...you don't have to worry about the "floating logs" while hiking or biking? What an interesting texture to the beautiful cedar!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to worry if you stay on the paths and when you see one on the path, you turn around and head back the other way! This one actually seemed curious about me and kept coming closer and swimming back and forth in front of me, checking me out as I was watching him. They are not to be messed with! While we were living south of here, a two year old was snatched by an alligator as he stood at the edge of a pond in a beautiful gated community and dragged into the water where he drowned while the parents tried to rescue him. Can you imagine those poor parents!
DeleteSo glad that all of our floating logs here on the river in New Zealand are actually floating logs. We swim and kayak on our river, plus fossick around in the mangrove trees on the banks - none of which we would do if we had your wild life. That one might have been hungry.
ReplyDeleteThe Gators would scare me, I recall when we lived in Florida I wouldn't let our oldest daughters let go of my hand...and oh she hated that! be observant at all times! How are the animals adjusting after the move? :)
ReplyDeleteTybee (chow) is now 17, arthritic, hard of hearing, and a bit senile. He loves wandering the new fenced backyard and is out there most of the day wandering around and sleeping. Bob (border collie) is a challenge as it's hard to get her enough exercise living in town. We haven't been able to find anywhere she can run free in huge circles and wear herself out. Walking on a leash is not enough. Thanks for asking, Connie.
DeleteThe park looks just beautiful! We used to go to Murrells Inlet to eat seafood any time we were at the beach. I would be horrified of those alligators and probably wreck my bike and be eaten by one. Take care, Cynthia.
ReplyDelete