Hilton Head Life

Palmetto Bugs!

Living in paradise does have drawbacks -- you just don't get these behemoth bugs up North. Truly massive cockroaches with the disarming local name of 'Palmetto Bug'.

I saw my first Palmetto Bug in June and it was a truly hideous experience. Scurrying along the baseboard, at a remarkable pace, I didn't know how to kill the thing. I could actually hear this intruder running accross the tiles from the other room!

Apparently Palmetto Bugs are built like a mini-tank -- just swatting at them merely bothers them.

A quick trip to the local Target and I loaded up on all things labeled "Roach Killer". The good news is that these bugs die quickly once sprayed with this stuff, and a broom and dustpan cleans them up nicely.

Oh yeah, if meeting one of these beasts isn't bad enough, they also fly! That's right, they have wings! And get this: Palmetto Bugs really suck at flying so once they get in the air they fly unpredictably - (ie. right at you!).

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture, seen circling through Savannah National Wildlife Preserve. There were two vultures together, but just getting one in a photo was difficult enough.

Green Anole

Spotted this non-stressed Green Anole on my back porch. While a Green Anole does often change colors to Brown, this has more to do with levels of stress then a camoflage attempt. Brown Anoles are stressed Anoles.

Pinckney Island Nature Preserve

Biked through the Pinckney Island Nature Preserve over the weekend, a wildlife refuge right off US278 bridge to Hilton Head Island. Took some great photos along the way. Breathtaking views everywhere and scenic trails wind along 4,000 plus acres.

Common Moorhen

Photo of this bird, the Common Moorhen, was taken in the Pinkney Island Nature Preserve March 2006. Swims, dives and moves around like a duck but actually part of the "Rail" bird family. Does not have webbed feet. Has very bright red spot up to it's eyes over a pointed beak.

Alligator

Hidden in the tall marsh grass, basking in the sun, was my first Alligator sighting in Hilton Head. Looked like he was just warming up from spending a winter hibernating.

I thought I spotted my first Alligator about a week ago near a lagoon by my house. I even cautiously creeped up on it to snap a photo. But, after several days driving by and noticing it hadn't budged an inch, I realized I'd been duped by a steel lawn ornament!

Red Breasted Merganser

Today I viewed two Red Breasted Mergansers (one male with it's unmistakable dark green crest, one female) drift by the back of my house. Both were diving and resurfacing every few moments. By the time I got the camera they were gone.

White Ibis

Couldn't miss a gaggle of White Ibis (20 to 30) probing the marsh together for lunch in Moss Creek.  I'm not sure what they were eating, but I suspect is was beetles. 

These birds with their wonderful, long curved beaks motor around quickly, looking at me as if I was in the way.