The
promised beauty of Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina lured me
out from my long Covid isolation last week, and despite the surprises of the
sudden gas shortage and an especially hearty rainstorm, it far exceeded my expectations. It’s
promised to be “home to some of
the nation's most intensive plantings of Japanese iris” at https://www.sumtersc.gov/community/swanlake. To my surprise, all eight species of Swans inhabit the gardens. I was ecstatic to discover that some have already hatched, like this little cygnet and its Black Swan parents who brought their newborn out to get acquainted with it's new home. Judging from all the nesting birds and a
bit of fowl canoodling that I witnessed this past week, visitors can anticipate
seeing more new things emerging than the beautiful flowers and Japanese Iris that
appear to be right on schedule to bloom abundantly any day.
This
nesting Mute Swan inched up just enough for me to briefly spy about 7 little
swan eggs, as she quickly inspected her incubating cygnets, that could very
well be hatched at the time of this posting.
I noticed
the nesting swans slept most of the time, but when their mates approached, they would
take the opportunity to safely roll their eggs so they’ll develop properly and
to spruce up their nest a bit to ensure they're safely hidden.
The natural branches and pine straw that groundskeepers manage are excellent for a mom-to-be to shore up her nest, which she does several times a day. The nests
are visible from the paths, but the birds have chosen spots sheltered just
enough that photographers can slip behind nearby foliage so as not to disturb the
nesting birds. And most of all, to not
incur the wrath of the proud and protective papa swans.
According to Cornell's birder site at: allaboutbirds.com, I should consider this approaching swan with raised wings to mean that I was seen as a threat and I should pack up my trusty Nikon and find somewhere and someone else to photograph. Which I promptly did.I learned that
the Gardens provide several special events during the year, along with the abundant
seasonal plants, songbirds, and water birds there year round.
THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY IRIS FESTIVAL HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2021 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. CHECK BACK AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR HOWEVER, BECAUSE IT WILL MOST LIKELY RETURN WITH ALL THE FUN AND FESTIVITIES IN 2022 I'M TOLD.
I have noted the other events at the gardens on my calendar. For an update on how Covid will or won't affect your visit and a schedule of their year round events see: http://www.sumtersc.gov/community/swanlake of the event
May
through July especially, is a great time to visit if you’re interested
particularly in spotting some newly hatched Swans and Great
Blue Heron babies still in the nest, begging parents to feed them.
Herons were still sporting their breeding plumage when I visited, which consists of much longer feathers growing from their necks and adorning the tops of their wings. They typically nest in tall trees, and that's true at the Gardens as well. Binoculars aren't necessary but will definitely come in handy. In this case, to see the almost hidden Heron like on the right in this photo below. I was able to capture everything here with a 200mm lens, but 300mm and above would also be a good option to include in your backpack.
I was elated when I spotted this Black Swan cygnet the second day I visited the park. The dark, nutrient rich water provided the perfect background for me, and I couldn't stop taking pictures of him or her. He spent part of his time swimming with his parents, but then had no qualms about venturing out on his own as well. It's almost as if his parents were showing him off to the visitors they must have come to be so comfortable with and are so relaxed now to be swimming near them.
While this little cygnet looks like it’s favoring an injured leg, I learned it’s
actually just modeling it’s parents typical Black Swan behavior. Apparently, propping one leg on their backs enables them to more quickly change direction while swimming, in order to avoid possible predators.
Master Gardener, Sheryn LaVanish
You can expect something new around every turn, and an extremely well planned and maintained park thanks to both staff and a team of dedicated volunteers which include certified Master Gardeners like Sheryn LaVanish. The MGs use their education and expertise to maintain the three specialty gardens: the Butterfly Garden, the Chocolate Garden and the expansive Braille Garden, newly renamed The Sensory Garden.
Legend
goes, that when Hamilton Carr Bland purchased this Cypress swamp in 1927, he
planned to develop it as his private sanctuary along with a large pond for
fish. When the iris he’d planted didn’t
do well in his home garden, he’s said to
have merely tossed the old bulbs onto the banks of his new pond along with the
other debris for fill. Because of the
damp South Carolina climate and the perfect acid soil there, the iris not only
grew but divided and thrived and over 90 years later, are still drawing
travelers from around the world today.
The iris were just beginning to bloom when I visited. It's taken a lot of teamwork and effort over the last decades to perfect and preserve the natural beauty of the gardens, and in a short time thousands of the beautiful blooms will adorn the vibrant green that lines the lake.
Coveted Wood Ducks, aka "Carolina Ducks" move back into the gardens in late winter so every effort's been made to protect them as they are one of the few who's chosen South Carolina as the perfect place to reproduce. The nesting boxes you will see scattered around the lake will help protect and preserve the species.
Cygnets (baby swans) wings are clipped
at birth, but they have no reason to leave such a suitable respite where professionals
constantly monitor the area to keep them safe and happy, feeding them a special
diet and providing plenty of safe shelter.
Now the word is out and geese wander in and out of the gardens, as do herons, egrets, anhingas and
several other species of ducks that frequent this part of South Carolina and draw
birders. You may spot a visiting Cormorant or two as well, drying it's wings near the safety of one of the large and very old Cypress trees after diving the rich waters for food and fun.
Occasionally a tiny alligator from one of the connecting waterways will slip through a small hole in the protective grates around the lake I was told. These unwelcomed guests are quickly removed however, and promptly relocated to a more suitable location for them and for the safety of the lakes residents.
Occasionally this time of year, you will see swans floating blissfully in this iconic "heart" pose as well. Some liken them to a breeding pair kissing, as often they will actually touch their beaks together.
The gardens,
which also offers sculptures and recorded messages along the paths attracts
everything from seniors to students from nearby USC, and moms with young
children. Exploring this haven is an easy stroll and strollers I saw navigated the occasional
tree roots and slight inclines with relative ease. Shade and benches are plentiful throughout the park and around the lake to relax and take everything in, enhanced just enough by man to both preserve its natural beauty and for me, made this a trip well
worth taking.
These links will give you additional information:
https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/5-ways-to-enjoy-sumters-natural-beauty will give you suggestions for other things to see and do
around Sumter, South Carolina as well as other SC locations.
https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/swan-lake-iris-gardens will give you information about the 1.3 mile walk around
the lake, maps and other hiking trails in SC.
https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/sumter/community/swan_lake_gardens/index.php offers downloadable brochures identifying the dragonflies
and birds you can look forward to seeing at Swan Lake.
Stay tuned for more about the SC certified Master Gardener Program and how they've worked diligently to enhance and preserve the beauty of Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
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