Biking to the Intracoastal Waterway

We just had to take advantage of the beautiful weather God blessed us with on Sunday, April 14! So we loaded our bicycles in the SUV and drove north up the coastline. 

Destination: the vast Santee Coastal Reserve located off Highway 17 north of McClellanville. I have visited several times over the years but never took a bike. I did a two-part posting about this wildlife management area back in 2015.

Part I.  Part II. 

This website from South Carolina Trails includes a map of the route we took on our bikes, giving the ride an "easy" rating. I would say it's not exactly easy as you really need to pay attention because the conditions of the path differ from good to a little rough as you go along. 

The goal today was to ride to the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a few miles from the main parts of the reserve so bikes seemed like a fun and expedient way to get there. The trail, overall, was in good shape except for a few sandy patches. 

Once we got there we saw several vessels plying the waters, including this yacht whose skipper tooted the horn for us. 

Bald Eagle Highlights Fall Nature Excursion

 

I didn’t see too many birds in a trek Sept. 23 to the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area, located north of McClellanville.

However, encountering a Bald Eagle early in the visit made the outing a huge success. 

We parked near the visitor center (old hunt club) and walked to the fishing pier. I had just spotted an Osprey and took the photos you’ll see if you keep reading. 

To the left of the trail in what looked like a dead or dying tree I saw America’s national bird. 

Can you see it? 

Bet you can now. On my Canon SX70 I switched to the HDR (high dynamic range) setting figuring the setting would pop. 

I was pleased the Eagle didn’t fly away. 

Santee Coastal Reserve Part II

Last Monday I had a very nice "staycation" outing back to the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area north of McClellanville, S.C.

It was warm day and very buggy on some pathways along the 24,000 acre nature site. But my friend Beverly Donald and I came away with some excellent photographs. The clouds were gorgeous, enhancing wide shots like the ones below.

Love this photo!

Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

I came across a "kettle" of Barn Swallows last month while exploring the Santee River region north of McClellanville, S.C. I was driving toward the Intracoastal Waterway to see if the ferry was running to the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (it wasn't- it only operates certain times of the year)

A nice spot this ferry landing!

If only I had my own boat! 

The ferry to the Yawkey Center- I tried to get the guy to take me across but no luck there