Jarvis Creek Park, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This big boy was the first to greet us....he's wasn't the least bit shy.  We spotted him very near the walk way which had me a bit un-nerved.  My friend, and the awesome photographer; Margaret said she's seen him before on a previous visit to Jarvis Creek Park.  We choose to go the opposite direction, by the way.  He seems to like to station himself near the small fishing dock; so please be aware folks.  Through out the park are plenty of signs indicating the presence of alligators with warnings to all NOT to feed them.

Jarvis Creek Park and Fitness Trail in Hilton Head, is just off highway 278, William Hilton Parkway at 50 Jarvis Creek Road.  It's a 53 acre park with much to offer.  There are nice restrooms, picnic areas, play areas for the kids, lots of wildlife to enjoy and pretty scenery.

Margaret zoomed and got some really nice photo's of the wild life, while I kept a look out for gators!  She took some photo's with her cell phone and others with a nice camera with a good zoom lens.

This "duck" intrigued us, as we were unfamiliar with it.  Turns out it's not a duck after all, it's a Common Gallinule, (Gallinula galeata) sometimes referred to as a Common Moorhen, especially in older field guides.  After our walk, Margaret did some googling and thought she'd found what it was, and I sent the picture to a blog friend, birder, David who confirmed it.  Please visit his blog for lots of interesting information and wonderful wildlife photo's.

This Blue Heron was hard to see, he was so close to us; but the camouflage was great and we only saw it when it moved.  

The Turtles were all clustered together getting some sun, apparently not minding being all bunched together.

In additional to the pretty scenery and wildlife, there is a pro-WEllness area with 10+ pieces of equipment stationed behind a large Old Live Oak with directions on how to use each piece of eq1uipment.  I confess....I did not see this as we walked, but their website says it's there.  This exercise area was built by Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Chamber of Chamber of Commerce.

The walking path is smooth and wide and flat (about a mile loop), so very accessible to all.  Regular Park Hours are 6 am til 9pm, but winter hours (in effect when daylight savings time stops) is 6 am til 6 pm.

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