I was so excited to go back to Magnolia Plantation this trip. We had been there ten years ago (egads how has it been that long?) and loved it – especially the swamp walk. The gardens and grounds around the house are still gorgeous – how can it not be with all that incredible Spanish Moss hanging all over the place? We managed to take a few shots (haha) before grabbing a sandwich at the Peacock Cafe and heading to the Audubon Swamp Garden (you have to drive to it).

We passed a photographer on his way out who had been there all morning and explained that most of the swamp had been drained and only a small portion of it had water these days. How disappointing!! The area around the “nursery trees” still remained and that’s where we headed. (Other photographers on the path told us the water had gotten a fungus and that’s why the swamp was drained. They’re trying to correct the problem and bring it back to life, so to speak.)

We still thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the nests of herons and egrets in this area. There are tons of them. These are big birds and they have no issues sharing these trees with each other and creating communities. We even saw them helping each other build their nests. Amazing. The gators cruising the water was a little unnerving I have to say. It’s a pretty narrow path winding through the swamp (and normally water on both sides) and the gators just slide through that water watching everything with their beady little eyes. And wouldn’t ya know it? About the time we decide that the 100 pics we’ve each taken of white birds in this tree is enough and turn around to head back to the car, this dude decides to crawl right up the bank, right across the path and plop down for this afternoon siesta – about 30 yards from me. Freaking out I turned around and hightailed it in the other direction. We waited a few minutes to see if he was going to continue across the path on the other side or not. Not. So, adding at least another mile to our walk back to the car, we just headed in the opposite direction – hoping another one didn’t decide to do the same thing up ahead of us, blocking us in. Crazy. The fixes we get ourselves into.

Thankfully, we had some regroup time before we needed to leave for our 6:30 sunset harbor tour with Harborview Charters that ended up being wonderful. Right before we left the dock our captain (Brett) told us he had a group of 12 cancel 25 minutes earlier. So it was just the four of us – kind of a private tour. The other couple was from Richmond, just down for the weekend. The weather was perfect, the sunset beautiful and the captain and crew were friendly and accommodating.

Brett also recommended a local restaurant for dinner, Salty Mikes (or Marina Variety Store and Restaurant) and we loved it! I finally got my shrimp and grits!

Long day but was worth it. And tomorrow, Kenny!!

Next day …