Visiting wth the neighbors on PI 6 '12

Look who Bruce met on the beach this morning.

Waccatee Zoological Farm 6'12

Waccatee Zoological Farm Is a small family run enterprise  that is run  entirely on private donations. 

 

  The zoo houses thousands of animals and over 100 species.
The first to greet you are the Peafowl (aka peacock).

 

 They are both beautiful to look at and good security.  At the least small disturbance these lovely creatures  begin  screaming ear piercing alarm calls, alerting  the staff and everyone else that mischief is afoot.

 From the road you see herds of buffalo and zebra roaming the open sunny grassland, but most of the zoo is located within 500 acres of private, carefully preserved, wooded property.

Some of the larger herd animals like the ( North African sheep above) are given  large tree sheltered enclosures These are the lucky ones.

Many of the animals are located in relatively small enclosures

Many of the animals are located in relatively small enclosures

While clean and well fed, it did not seem entirely fair to keep such large animals in such small spaces

I was especially uncomfortable with the  cats and other predators

 The zoo's website brags that  "big cats like the leopard, lion, cougar and tiger eye you up close".  It is true that one can get close.  I could get within a foot of this  little serval cat, but  it  wouldn't meet my eyes.  A  large lioness paced endlessly back and forth  between the cinder block walls of her  rooms.    It left me feeling guilty and sad to see these beautiful animals caged like this.

One are that I did find enjoyable was the raised wooden walkway that winds through the  wetlands .   A raised wooden walkway winds through  the

Located where the Waccamaw River, Intracoastal Waterway and Socastee Creek  join, Waccatee Zoo is a natural wildlife sancuary and breeding ground for many species of migratory birds.  At several times of the year it's not uncommon to see thousands of beautiful native egrets or heron in one small spot.  

The birds were everywhere, posing like photographers models

 The egret above had built its nest right over the walkway,

while the heron below was posing on a branch beside the walk. The difference between the birds and the other creatures in the zoo is that the birds are free to come and go as they like.  If the zoo area does  not please them, they could simply fly on down the river to another site.

There's a lot more animals than I have shown, so if you like small private zoos or are looking for a good site t to do some bird photography, at  check it out at 

 8500 Enterprise Rd

Myrtle Beach, SC  29588

843-650-8500

Brookgreen Gardens Cool Summer Evenings '12

Once again, Brookgreen Gardens  has created the ultimate stage for Cool Summer Evenings 2012. This season, the curtain rises on a series of exciting and varied musical offerings.  Our favorite was the  Thistledown Tinkers, the powerful music duo featuring Trip Rogers and Tom Eure, weave traditional Scottish and Irish music with original creations that sets the stage on fire. With an impressive arsenal of instruments including guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and concertina, their stage presence creates a rebel rousing party that not only draws fans in, but makes them feel like a part of the show.

Visiting the family : The Browns 6 '12

Bruce decided he wanted  spend some quality time with our two grand-daughters Delaney and Macie Brown this summer.  CC was totally preoccupied with preparation for her  August featured artist exhibition  in Charleston, so Bruce went without CC to visit the girls, and his daughter, Laura in New Jersey.

 He timed his visit so that he could be at Macie's  dance school recital.  Delaney had been in dance class last  year, but felt she had other interests she wanted  pursue this year.

Macie on the other hand was totally involved, and spent her every waking moment practicing her movements and looking cute.

She looked even cuter when she was on stage performing in a chorus line  with the other girls of her age group.

The recital involved the complete  range of ages, and was very professionally staged.

But as far as Bruce was concerned,

Macie was the star of the show

Congratulations,  Miss Macie Brown.