HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK/BROOKGREEN GARDENS, S.C.
by Jerry Lotterhos
If one were to choose one site on the east coast of the U.S. to visit as a combined wildlife/nature and photography area, along with family fun and entertainment, Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens(all part of the same historic properties) would have to be at the top of the list. These two beautiful lowcountry sites are located immediately across highway 17 from each other just south of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. This is an area where my wife vacationed as a teenager and has some of the best seafood to be had, so this continues to be one of our favorite areas to visit. Brookgreen is a designated National Historic Site and is recognized as one of the top 10 Gardens in the country. It was created by Archer and Anna Huntington, who purchased the land of four previous rice plantations to open the Garden as a showplace for Anna's Sculptures. It was the country's first Sculpture Garden and contains the largest collection of American figurative sculptures in an outdoor setting in the world. There are 1444 sculptures spread over 555 acres in a beautiful garden display. Photographic opportunities are endless here. Wildlife is everywhere and the birding is excellent, including Bald Eagles. There are many trails to explore and there is a zoo on the grounds. For detailed information about Brookgreen Gardens, visit this link.
On the Atlantic Ocean side of the highway directly across from Brookgreen is Huntington Beach State Park, where Atalaya, a summer home was built in Moorish Spanish style by the Huntingtons. As a historic site, the home is open for tours on a daily basis. This park has a total of 2500 acres to explore, including 3 miles of beach, with several hiking/birding trails. The park is one of my favorite destinations for bird photography on the east coast and it has several characteristics that assure a very diverse and plentiful bird population. As you enter the Park, the road traverses a dam which separates a freshwater marsh pond on the right, and a tidal salt marsh on the left. Almost all species of wading birds(along with alligators) can be found here and most early mornings provide a flood of all types coming from their roosts to feed. In the past few years in July-August, the Roseate Spoonbill, which is rarely seen north of Florida, have regularly appeared with all the other visitors( click on my Journal and scroll down for an entry about these beautiful pink birds with a spoonlike bill). For shorebirds, take the 1 1/2 mile hike up the north end of the beach to the jettys, a great area especially in the winter to see the rare piping plover, razorbills, purple sandpipers, and black gullemots. In spring through summer, one can see the rare and beautiful Painted Bunting who visit and nest here. These rainbow colored birds only nest from the southern tip of North Carolind to Florida along the Atlantic coast. I love photographing them and have several pics in the gallery below.
If you like birding and photography along with something for all the family, this is a MUST DO place. No matter the time of year, you will not be disappointed. Check out this link for full information about Huntington Beach State Park.
SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE.
On the Atlantic Ocean side of the highway directly across from Brookgreen is Huntington Beach State Park, where Atalaya, a summer home was built in Moorish Spanish style by the Huntingtons. As a historic site, the home is open for tours on a daily basis. This park has a total of 2500 acres to explore, including 3 miles of beach, with several hiking/birding trails. The park is one of my favorite destinations for bird photography on the east coast and it has several characteristics that assure a very diverse and plentiful bird population. As you enter the Park, the road traverses a dam which separates a freshwater marsh pond on the right, and a tidal salt marsh on the left. Almost all species of wading birds(along with alligators) can be found here and most early mornings provide a flood of all types coming from their roosts to feed. In the past few years in July-August, the Roseate Spoonbill, which is rarely seen north of Florida, have regularly appeared with all the other visitors( click on my Journal and scroll down for an entry about these beautiful pink birds with a spoonlike bill). For shorebirds, take the 1 1/2 mile hike up the north end of the beach to the jettys, a great area especially in the winter to see the rare piping plover, razorbills, purple sandpipers, and black gullemots. In spring through summer, one can see the rare and beautiful Painted Bunting who visit and nest here. These rainbow colored birds only nest from the southern tip of North Carolind to Florida along the Atlantic coast. I love photographing them and have several pics in the gallery below.
If you like birding and photography along with something for all the family, this is a MUST DO place. No matter the time of year, you will not be disappointed. Check out this link for full information about Huntington Beach State Park.
SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE.
