Brookgreen Gardens Part 2

Last week I did a post about Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, a few miles south of Myrtle Beach. Click here to see it. This week I wanted to show you more of my pics.

Oak Allee (click to see larger view)

(Click this photo to see larger view.)

Actaeon

Riders of the Dawn by Adolph Weinman

This wild bird was standing beside one of the large ponds.

I didn't see the name of this sculpture. It is a workhorse with a man behind, leading it. I loved the arrangement of trees too.

Timber Wolf Family by William Henry Turner (bronze 1990)

"The Lowcountry Zoo is the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of North and South Carolina. All of the native animals in the zoo were either bred and raised in captivity or have sustained a major disability due to injury. In either case, these animals could not survive in the wild." Quoted from the Brookgreen website.

These birds in the Cypress Aviary were not getting along well. I think they are juvenile Black-Crowned Night Herons. This aviary is the only known of its kind built over an existing cypress swamp. We walked over boardwalks among the birds. I'm glad they were friendly and mostly ignored us.

This alligator was creeping after a brave vulture that always kept a few feet ahead.

Gray Fox

Unlike other species of fox, the Gray Fox is actually able to climb trees. It has strong hooked claws that enable it to shimmy up a tree like a cat. They are nocturnal animals that feed on rabbits, rodents, insects, fruit and nuts. During the day, Gray Foxes sleep in stumps, hollow trees or burrows.

The zoo featured many more animals including otters, eagles, hawks, owls, red foxes, deer, turkeys, domestic farm animals, and many others. And of course the gardens contain hundreds more sculptures than I could show you here. Walking through Brookgreen Gardens is a wonderful way to spend a couple of relaxing days.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Brookgreen Gardens and Zoo. To learn more please check out their website.
Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com

Brookgreen Gardens

While at Myrtle Beach a couple weeks ago, we visited Brookgreen Gardens on two different days. Since one ticket is good for seven days, we thought we'd go back and see what we missed on the first visit. We still didn't see everything because the entire property is 9100 acres. The gardens alone are massive. They provide a shuttle to the various parts of the estate. When we first arrived on both days it was raining. After a brief shopping spree in the gift shop, the rain stopped and we headed out into the gardens.

Pledge Allegiance sculpture in bronze by Glenna Goodacre 

 Brookgreen Gardens was formed from four different plantations that produced rice during the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries. Those plantations were The Oaks, Brookgreen, Springfield and Laurel Hill. "In 1931 Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington established Brookgreen Gardens as a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting."

Mrs. Huntington was a sculptor and many of these amazing sculptures were created by her. There are many from other sculptors as well. I have never seen so many sculptures in one location. In fact, there are over 1400 by 350 artists. It is the largest collection in the country. Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historical Landmark, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

I have so many photos of the amazing sculptures and beautiful gardens I had a difficult time choosing only a few. With some of these, I'm including a photo of the plaque under it so you can read about it.

There is also lots of wildlife here. This Canadian goose was one of four lounging about and grooming in the gardens near a pond. They seemed very docile, though I didn't try to pet them. LOL

I love Spanish moss dripping from old oaks, and I loved this view over the pond.

Diana of the Chase, by Anna Hyatt Huntington

I am a huge fan of waterlilies! :)

 Jaguar by Anna Hyatt Huntington

Click on the above photo to enlarge it so you can read it. It is entitled Pumas. (In most cases the  v is a u.) There were many of these types of poems and quotes throughout the gardens.

Live Oak Allee Garden was one of my favorites. These massive oaks are 300 years old and were planted in the 1700s when this was a rice plantation.

 I hope you enjoyed this visit to Brookgreen Gardens. I'll try to share more photos next time since I've only shown you a small portion of the photos I took.

Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com