Brookgreen Gardens Wildlife - March 26/14

Since we were able to go to Brookgreen Gardens again on the same ticket, we decided to go again yesterday.  Although the sculptures are wonderful, I really enjoy the wildlife the most.  So you are with some of my favorites.

 
 
Even though it was really cold and windy, the turtles were enjoying the sunshine. 

 
 
The mockingbird. 

We took the trekker tour to 2 of the plantations, and were happy to see this male turkey wandering in one of the slave cemeteries. 

Oops, not wildlife, but this is the Waccamma  River, which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, which we would follow if we took our boat to Florida - which we won't! 

 
These amazing little critters are everywhere at Brookgreen.  They are called Fox Squirrels, and have  an abundance of nuts from all the Live Oak trees.  They bury them in little holes in the flower beds.

 
Not exactly "wildlife", but I like this old mule. 

 
 
Snowy egret. 

 
 
A successful fisherman - a Great Blue Heron. 

 
 
Caught his lunch. 

 
 
This Mama was sitting on a nest, and Papa brought her some lunch.  I love seeing things like that! 

 
 
 
American River Otter. 

 
This is a picture of a picture, and not very good, but I decided it was worth putting in. A baby alligator in an egg.

 
Baby alligators are called "grunts".  Zookeepers removed 49 eggs from their Mama alligator's nest.  This is one of the hatchlings. 

 
 
 
And here's Mama.  Papa was out as well, but mostly hidden. 

 
I NEVER knew that foxes climb trees, and I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it here at Brookgreen. 

 
 
Two red-tailed hawks - he is certainly displaying his tail to us! 

 
 
The barred owl again. 

 
 
Thief!  This fox squirrel is raiding a bird feeder. 

Mama and Papa cardinal - she was much bolder than he was!
 
 
 
 
Not sure if this is a red-bellied or a downy woodpecker.