A month ago this was jammed full of reeds and thick cattails. This swamp was losing what it had been for hundreds of years. An old pipe that helped move water finally clogged, it was plantation era though.

At what I’m sure was a significant cost a dredging project cleared the vegetation and returned this swamp to where it could again support water flow and wildlife.

The land is part of the old Magnolia Plantation properties and still family owned. Plantation grounds, further down a dirt road is open to the public. The swamp is not as big a tourist attraction, but this location was once a large rookery. Photographers are around here of course.

The land is referred to as the ‘Audubon’ swamp, and for a good reason. John J. Audubon was related to the family and visited this swamp, filled with Great Egrets, multiple times.

I walked a back trail here the other morning hoping to get some bright sun rise reflections on the newly open areas. These photos show how not so bright the morning was.

Even in the dull light this is still an incredible place to visit. It was empty except for me and few over head birds from another rookery down the road.

Several years ago this was a busy small heron rookery. I’m hoping they will return soon.