My family and I are taking a trip to South Carolina end of May/early June, and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where I might find photogenic cypress swamps. I've been down there a few times now, but haven't been able to find something satisfactory just stabbing around. We'll be in the North Myrtle Beach, but I have no objections to driving several hours to get somewhere, but the closer to there the better. Heck, I drove to Raven Cliff Falls 3 years ago.
As a Pennsylvania native, I don't run into many things in the wild that could kill me, like snakes and alligators, so I'd also like any suggestions as to precautions to take for these sorts of things. Bug repellent recommendations?
I drove by the Audobon Swamp Gardens near Charleston last year, and it looked interesting but didn't know - would this be something worth doing? Is it crowded?
Sorry for all the questions from an outsider, but I'd really like to maximize the little time I'll have to shoot. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Greg, I'll defer to others around the Myrtle Beach area but the Audobon Swamp Gardens is definitely worth the visit and that part of the gardens has never been crowded when I've been there. Additionally north of Charleston is a county park called Cypress Gardens. It is built on an old rice farming plantation. It has a beautiful cypress swamp with a trail going completely around it. I've seen a variety of birds at both. There are others who know more about this area than I do but these two sites are great.
I'm a noob down here too... but I've been to Cypress Gardens, Francis Beidler, Congaree and Magnolia Gardens (that also has an Audubon garden). All are cypress swampy areas... not sure what flowers will be blooming then, but all of them have decent maintained trail access. Since you will be at Myrtle Beach, the closest I know of - Cypress and Magnolia (there may be others, but I've not been there yet) in the Charleston area - may be reasonable bets... both have entrance fees (Magnolia is excessive in my opinion) but since you are doing the tourist thing already, what's another few bucks, right?.
As for snakes and such... don't step on anything that moves.
Bugs... I am VERY allergic to no-see-um (gnat) bites, and not too far behind for skeeters... I suggest having a ready supply of DEET... but that's just me. Since things will be warming up by then, I would expect the bugs will be getting annoying. (don't forget handy-wipes to get the DEET off your hands so you don't mess up your camera!) Ticks may be an issue on some of the more rustic trails, or if you move into brush.
Ditto what Bill and Steve wrote. The Audobon gardens, Cypress Gardens, and Frances Beidler are all good bets with easy access. I could give you some other recommendations but they require a canoe, mucho time (overnight at least), and a high tolerance for heat, humidity and bugs.
The only one I've been to is Congaree Swamp in Columbia, SC which will be a good 3 hours away from M.B. This was taken early April. It's a neat place, but you may want to stick with the prior suggestions that are closer. I will be in N. Myrtle May 21-23, will you be there then?
Discussion
4 repliesMy family and I are taking a trip to South Carolina end of May/early June, and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where I might find photogenic cypress swamps. I've been down there a few times now, but haven't been able to find something satisfactory just stabbing around. We'll be in the North Myrtle Beach, but I have no objections to driving several hours to get somewhere, but the closer to there the better. Heck, I drove to Raven Cliff Falls 3 years ago.
As a Pennsylvania native, I don't run into many things in the wild that could kill me, like snakes and alligators, so I'd also like any suggestions as to precautions to take for these sorts of things. Bug repellent recommendations?
I drove by the Audobon Swamp Gardens near Charleston last year, and it looked interesting but didn't know - would this be something worth doing? Is it crowded?
Sorry for all the questions from an outsider, but I'd really like to maximize the little time I'll have to shoot. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Greg Walker
As for snakes and such... don't step on anything that moves.
Bugs... I am VERY allergic to no-see-um (gnat) bites, and not too far behind for skeeters... I suggest having a ready supply of DEET... but that's just me. Since things will be warming up by then, I would expect the bugs will be getting annoying. (don't forget handy-wipes to get the DEET off your hands so you don't mess up your camera!) Ticks may be an issue on some of the more rustic trails, or if you move into brush.
Check the web...
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/
http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/beidler/
http://www.nps.gov/cosw/
http://www.cypressgardens.org/
Ditto what Bill and Steve wrote. The Audobon gardens, Cypress Gardens, and Frances Beidler are all good bets with easy access. I could give you some other recommendations but they require a canoe, mucho time (overnight at least), and a high tolerance for heat, humidity and bugs.