Birds and other things

Yesterday afternoon I was texting with my friend Risee who likes to take photos as much as me and we realized it had been a long time since we had done any photo excursions so we decided to make a day of it today.
And I can tell you it was a loooonnngggg day!    

We left at 7am for the beach!     But on the way we decided to visit Bear Island Wildlife area on the chance that the roseate spoonbills might be there.    They were not but there was a mosquito convention with thousands of mosquitos.   Mostly in one area so we were able to get out of the car at a couple of places without being carried away.   We did see the birds though except for the seagull that we saw at the beach at Hunting Island.    We also saw two baby alligators and a larger one.  He/she is in the extras. 

After Bear Island we drove over to Hunting Island State Park and had a nice walk.   There were crews there resurfacing the whole beach area.  They had made a berm/dune at the back of the beach next to the tree line and were spreading sand up and down the beach and packing it in.  This area had gotten damaged (again!) from the hurricanes last fall.   We walked here for about 2 miles from the south parking area to the lighthouse.  A few photos of the beach in the extras.   We also walked the spirals steps to the top of the lighthouse..136 ft tall.   It was a gorgeous view from the top but the day was a little hazy so we really could not see that far in the distance to make out what the sign said was there.   A couple of photos of the lighthouse in the extras.

On the way out of Beaufort we stopped at Old Sheldon Church Ruins.  We found a new locked fence around the ruins and the main graveyard behind them.   Apparently people were stupid and inconsiderate since the fence was never needed before.  But I am glad it is there as it will keep those graffiti writers mostly out.  The fence was not high so anyone could just jump over.  I am hoping it it electric but we did not test it out!  
 

Lastly, we stopped at Lake Warren State Park as it was the only state park in the area that was not really near anything else.  I mean out  in the country all by itself.   A nice little park mostly for fishing in the big lake.  No camping except tents, a tiny trail, playground, and a gazebo overlooking the lake.    It was pretty though and probably a really quiet place except on the weekends.    

Finally we were on our way home.  I dropped Risee off at her house and headed home arriving at 8:30!     

A very loooonnnngggg day but worth it for the fun and photos!    I hope to look at journals tomorrow after I get home from my job!    Too much to do and not enough time!!