Cow Branch Bend: Part 2 of 3 at Carolina Sandhills NWR

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” - Matt Hardy


    You probably know that President Theodore Roosevelt directed the creation of our amazing National Parks, but did you know he also founded the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903? On March 14 of that year, he established Pelican Island NWR along Florida's Atlantic Ocean coast.

    Since then, more than 560 wildlife refuges are in place across this country, and they're all managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each NWR unit can be a wildlife refuge, a conservation area, a marine national monument, or a waterfowl production area. The different units help with conserving native species that depend on that land or water to thrive by using scientific management methods. And I think they're another of our many national treasures.

    As I wrote in my post on April 29, 2023...

    Back in Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, we get to enjoy a lovely view of one of the many small manmade ponds and lakes that dot the local landscape. Established in 1939 as a habitat for migratory birds, it is also a terrific place to visit for some restorative outside recreation.

    This almost 50,000 acre site is also the premier location in the Southeast of the United States to view the longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem. In addition to the massive but gently sloping hills of sand, there are also streamside pocosins, which translates as “swamps on a hill,” large open fields, hardwood ridges, and wetlands.

    These different habitats astonishingly support almost 200 species of birds, 42 species of mammal, 25 species of amphibians, and 41 species of reptiles, plus more than 1000 species of plants.

    If you’re ever traveling along US Route 1 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, I highly recommend a visit. The refuge is accessible by vehicle with many trails available for a more intimate look on foot. Let me know if you ever go. Peace be with you, my friends.

Clicking on the image will open it in full screen

‘Cow Brach Bend’ an early evening view of one of the many manmade sources of water made available to support migratory birds in beautiful Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in north central South Carolina.

www.johnjgiardinaphotography.com



Location: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson, SC 29718, USA

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