Tag Archives: Tropical

Charleston, Landscape, Swamp, What I Saw, Wildlife

Banded Water Snake, Four Hole Swamp (updated)

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A local that easily gets confused with the toxic viper Cottonmouth. However these snakes are not poisonous. Might hurt if they bite, but that’s it.

Banded Water Snake
Banded Water Snake

I always look at the head first to check if it has a clear triangle shape. No triangle, you’re good.

Banded Water Snake
Banded Water Snake

An adult will grow to around 48+ inches (1.5 meters), big enough for me. There are several types of water snakes, this species is a coastal inhabitant.

Banded Water Snake
Banded Water Snake
Banded Water Snake
Banded Water Snake

It’s pretty hard to go into a swamp and not see one of these, if you’re looking.

Four Hole Swamp, South Carolina.

Please read the comments below for new… and better, I on these snakes. 😁
Birds, Marsh, Swamp, What I Saw, Wildlife

Prothonotary warbler

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A tiny, bright, little warbler from the West Indies, Central America, and Northern South America.

Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler

Early summer they show up in the Lowcountry, a little later they go even further north. We have plenty of them here, but you need to go to the swamps. They love warm swamps and the big Cypress Knees, which can be hollow. A perfect nest location.

Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler

The big Four Holes Swamp is the best place to find them this time of year.

Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler

Most of the birds we see have been banded at some point. Either here, or down in Central America. They can have three bands, each documenting their life cycle.

Prothonotary warbler
Prothonotary warbler

If you have patience standing in one location and listening will eventually take to a spot where you will find them.

I prefer to walk and watch Ellen. She finds them.