A different surprise occurred one noon as I was walking to the mailbox. The birds in the neighborhood seemed particularly agitated. Chickadees, tufted titmice and wrens were giving their alarm cries, and there were even a few crows that got into the act. When I heard a rustle in a wax myrtle thicket I went to check it out. There, hiding in the bushes, was a young bobcat. He sat quietly for his portrait, and when I was finished he disappeared back into the thicket. His disappearance seemed to satisfy the local bird population, who quieted down and promptly resumed their assigned duties.
The beach is another favorite walking place. It offers some very special wildlife sightings. In particular I like the early morning when the turtle patrol is busy rescuing turtles. A favorite sight is the release of the last baby turtle in the nest. When the turtle patrol digs the nest to count the number of hatched and unhatched eggs, there is frequently one little guy that is still struggling to climb out through the debris left by his brothers and sisters above him in the nest. It is an inspiring sight to see him finally get to the water and begin what we all hope will be a long and fruitful life.
There are also deer that live in the dunes along the beach. They like the dunes because they afford them the protection
30 Naturally Kiawah