Keep South Carolina Wild

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Winners of the 2024 Wildlife Photography Contest

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Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Wildlife Photography contest! It is always hard to select a winner because we have such talented photographers, and this year’s contest was no exception. You can go to our Flickr page here to see all the photos entered in this year’s contest.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered our photo contest this year! We are grateful because your photos help us showcase the beauty of our state and help us illustrate South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats. Please stay tuned to see your photos featured on social media, our website, and in our eNewsletters.

Carolina Critters 

Winner: Trey Wardlaw, Emergence

About the photograph:

This photograph, captured in April 2024 during the cicada outbreak in South Carolina, depicts a newly emerged cicada on a low-hanging branch. I deliberately included the exoskeleton behind the cicada to enhance the composition of the scene. To achieve a steady shot, I held the branch with one hand. To me, this image of a freshly molted cicada and its exoskeleton symbolizes the emergence of the cicadas during the 2024 invasion.

About me:

I am a wildlife photographer located in Laurens, South Carolina and I have been interested in anything nature related since I was a kid. My goal with my photography is to highlight the beauty of animals and bugs that are rarely ever seen up close.

Carolina Critters

Runner-up: Gina Sanders, Golden-crowned Kinglet

 

About the photograph:

The little golden-crowned kinglet was in a field behind my house, where I frequently walk. It was during fall migration and kinglets were moving through the area in large numbers. I went for a walk that morning and was excited to see and hear so many in the area. They don’t sit still for long but this little one seemed curious as he perched on a weed and watched me watching him! I was thrilled he came so close and I was able to get his photo, it’s one of my favorites!

About me:

I’m 61 years old, and an avid birder and nature photographer. Photography was my hobby back in the film days, but got put on the back burner thanks to my career and life in general. Once I started birding a few years ago I decided to get back into photography to help me identify the birds I was seeing. Now, I spend as much time as I can outdoors with my camera, watching birds and wildlife in general.

Scenes of SC 

Winner: Kailey Bugarin, Kingfisher’s Stumpfest 

About the photograph:

Lake Moultrie’s water gets lowered a couple times a year by Santee Cooper. It is usually lowered in the winter, some years lower than others. This photo was taken in late December of 2020, and it was the lowest the lake had been in many years followed by the recent 2024 water drop for the hurricane flooding. I was exploring the floor of the lake and capturing the many birds who were taking advantage of the low water with puddles of fish. A belted kingfisher I had been chasing landed in the most perfect spot. I was able to capture it and the reflection of the many stumps right as the sun was going down.

About me:

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Started nature photography in 2018 while attending college at USC, and continued birding as a hobby when I came home to Moncks Corner. I enjoy capturing the Lowcountry’s scenes and wildlife.

Scenes of SC

Runner-up: Stuart Barfield, Light the Way

About the photograph:

I live in the Midlands of SC, but I have a lot of family in the Lowcountry and I spend a lot of time in Charleston. I especially love Folly Beach and the mix of nature and history found there. On one trip down, I noticed the Morris Island Lighthouse was actually lit and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture a glimpse of the past shining over the beauty of the marsh. For me, it was a wonderful way to illustrate my sense of nostalgia and admiration for what I consider my second home.

About me:

I didn’t have a huge interest in photography until 2017, when my wife was gifted a nice DSLR camera. I got more confident using it over time and a couple years later, I began flying drones for my job. I was amazed at the potential for landscape aerial photography and have tried my hand at it on and off since then.

People In Nature 

Winner: Jennifer Brown, Forest Blessings

About the photograph:

The August morning captured along Cedar Creek was a mere glimpse into the magic that is hidden amongst the vast expanse of Congaree National Park. Nature photography is often about being in the right place at the right time, and having the patience to wait for the ideal shot. As the sun permeated the late morning fog, its rays beckoning the paddlers to continue exploring and maybe even linger a little longer. The otherworldly feeling was palpable  as the mist swirled along the forest floor and flowing waters, enveloping all in its embrace.

About me:

I consider myself a very lucky person to have the pleasure of having Congaree National Park as my “office.”  Several times a week, I get the opportunity to introduce guests from around the world to South Carolina’s only National park. As a Kayak Guide for Carolina Outdoor Adventures, I have seen many beautiful sunrises, stunning sunsets, misty mornings, and even the occasional  eerie moonlit night while paddling through the old-growth forests of Congaree NP.  As a mother and a military spouse, I find being outdoors to be extremely rejuvenating for the mind and body and make it a goal to enjoy as many opportunities as possible.

Scenes of SC

Runner-up: Judy Fairchild, Now and Then

 

About the photograph: I was looking at American oystercatchers along the Intracoastal Waterway, and thought the juxtaposition of the wooden sailboat against the modern fishing boat was the quintessential South Carolina landscape.

About me: I run Nature Walks with Judy, whose goal is to get people to appreciate the amazing nature right outside their doors. I started that blog and social media accounts in March of 2020; it was my response to everyone’s need for nature during the pandemic! You can follow me on Instagram here and on Facebook here.

WAIT Partner Update: Oshkosh Defense

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One of the greatest things we can see on a Wildlife And Industry Together or WAIT partner’s property are signs that wildlife has a place to feed and reproduce in a safe environment. Oshkosh Defense LLC in Spartanburg, SC, has developed such an area on part of its property for birds like red-winged blackbirds, Eastern bluebirds, and even the steeply declining loggerhead shrike, which has been seen in and around the parking lot feeding on the insects or other prey near the native plants that were installed to attract wildlife.

Image Caption: Killdeer on nest at Oshkosh Defense.

In a press release, Trent McJunkin, facilities and maintenance manager said: “Our intent is to turn our greenspace at the facility into a thriving habitat for native wildlife, supporting biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem. Trent added that: “This effort not only helps wildlife flourish, but also increases efficiencies in groundskeeping, demonstrating that sustainability and operational effectiveness can go hand in hand.”

 

Why WAIT?

SCWF partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities. Read more about the WAIT Program and how to join here.

Project Prothonotary Workshop

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SCWF recently held a workshop for Project Prothonotary, an ongoing conservation effort to enhance habitat for a declining bird species known as the prothonotary warbler. This project focuses specifically on installing nesting boxes for prothonotary warblers in the Catawba-Wateree watershed of South Carolina. Hosted at the Catawba Nation, workshop participants learned about how to identify nests of certain species, bird breeding biology, and best practices for monitoring bird nests.

Volunteers were trained in nest box monitoring for prothonotary warblers and data collection using NestWatch. Starting in the spring, volunteers will begin checking nest boxes each week for signs of nesting activity! To learn more about Project Prothonotary, visit https://www.scwf.org/projectprothonotary/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Duke Energy for sponsoring this workshop and for making this project possible!

Volunteer Day at Camp Discovery

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Thank you to the 25 volunteers who showed up on Saturday, February 1st, to help Eastern bluebirds at Camp Discovery in Blythewood, SC! Camp Discovery’s mission is to engage and inspire through discovery in science and nature. On their 116-acre property, Camp Discovery has about 30 nesting boxes for bluebirds.

SCWF staff and volunteers go out each year to clean these boxes, reduce vegetation, and record the data. This is important to do because Eastern bluebirds will not nest in boxes if they contain old nests or debris.

Thank you to the Columbia Star for your article about this volunteer day!






WAIT Partner Update: BMW

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BMW Manufacturing, another great Wildlife And Industry Together or WAIT partner from the upstate of SC, has been an engaged partner in wildlife habitat creation and conservation for years. From pollinator habitat to the installation of nest boxes and native trees, their team of engaged employees is always eager to learn more about conservation and what they can do on their property to help local wildlife. Recently, over 100 native trees were planted in an area behind one of their training facilities. These trees, which include oaks, elms, hornbeam, pine, among other species, will produce millions of insects (if not more) over the years that will be consumed by birds, reptiles, mammals, and even other insects.




BMW staff, along with Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, recently installed six Eastern bluebird boxes on the property, adding to the already existing Wood Duck and bluebird boxes. The installation was followed up with a talk about the importance of cavity nests and native plants.

Thank you, BMW, for providing us with the opportunity to educate your employees, as well as taking the time to increase wildlife habitat and nesting opportunities for a number of local wildlife species!

 

Why WAIT?

SCWF partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities. Read more about the WAIT Program and how to join here.

SCWF Partnership Gives Calhoun County Fourth Graders Hands-on Nature Experiences

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“I got one!” exclaims an excited fourth grader from Calhoun County holding the line with a beautiful bluegill glistening on the end. A quick photo, a gentle release, and there are smiles and high fives all around and a healthy fish returned to the pond. This is thanks to some incredible partners and volunteers recently at the Interlaken Wildlife Center in Cameron, SC. SCWF staff partnered with the staff at Interlaken Wildlife Center and the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation district to provide a hands-on fishing and nature experience at the center.

Volunteers from SCWF, SCDNR, SC Conservation Districts, and several from the local community, joined together to help make this happen. Fourth grade students from Calhoun County had a lesson on flora and fauna in the midlands, a nature hike, a fishing lesson, and all had a chance to catch a fish.









BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF Director of Education shared “We can talk about fishing or loblolly pines or fox squirrels with these students in the classroom but giving them a chance to actually see it can sometimes flip a switch and help them develop a deeper appreciation for their environment”.  This program headed up by Mary Dixon with the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District is providing the opportunity for all fourth graders in the county to have this outdoor experience. Harrison adds, “We look forward to continuing to partner with this program for the rest of the fourth graders this spring.”

For more information on this program or to volunteer for an upcoming event, please email bebe@scwf.org.

Working For Wildlife Volunteer Day Was A Huge Success

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Thank YOU to our volunteers who showed up and worked together to make a difference for wildlife on December 7th despite the chilly weather! Our annual Working for Wildlife Day at the Carolina Sandhills NWR was a huge success thanks to the volunteers and the knowledgeable refuge staff who joined us. SCWF is proud to have collaborated with the refuge on workdays since 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projects that were completed included trail marking and maintenance, sweeping around the trees marked as nesting sites for the red-cockaded woodpeckers, repairing boardwalks, leaf blowing and litter pick-up.



 

Carolina Sandhills NWR hosts an incredible range of biodiversity and is a leading site in conservation efforts. Everyone worked incredibly hard, and all work done here is going right back to a keystone location for many of our unique state species and habitats. – Ari Hippensteal, SCWF Community Outreach Manager

If you haven’t yet visited the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, we encourage you to do so. Founded in 1939, the refuge contains rolling sand hills dominated by the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. Along with the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the refuge is home to more than 190 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles, and 25 species of amphibians. More than 800 species of plants have been identified on the refuge, including rare species of pitcher plants, Well’s pixie-moss, and the white-wicky.

WAIT Partner Update: Martin Marietta

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The team at Martin Marietta’s Berkeley Quarry goes above and beyond to educate local students and the community about the natural history of the Cross, South Carolina area, and how the quarry functions while respecting our natural resources.

Combined with numerous field trips, which include visits with local schools, gem and mineral clubs and community organizations, Berkeley Quarry’s crew educates close to 1,000 people annually, sharing information about a little known underground world that is normally hidden from view. Fossil collecting, geode breaking stations, a child mining area, quarry tours and geology lessons are among the activities that visitors enjoy while learning from the site’s knowledgeable and talented team members.

In addition to the geological interests of the area, habitat creation and preservation is important to Martin Marietta as well. Working with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and American Forest Management, the Berkeley Quarry team has set aside several hundred acres of forested land that is intended to preserve habitat for both birds and animals. Wood duck boxes have also been installed on the grounds, and the area is regularly patrolled by a bald eagle that glides through the skies in search of prey.

Through community education, wildlife habitat creation and sustainable practices, Martin Marietta exemplifies how a large corporation should operate in an ecologically responsible way.

We hope this approach continues for years to come!

Why WAIT?

SCWF partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities. Read more about the WAIT Program, and how to join here.

October eNewsletter

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Want to be the first to know about our events, classes, and volunteer opportunties? Sign up here to receive our monthly eNewsletter in your inbox.

SCWF is devoted to helping wildlife thrive in our state, and there are many ways you can become involved with us! Support our mission by entering the photo contest, enjoying fine dining, volunteering, or donating.

Wildlife following Hurricane Helene


Many of our native plants and animals are resilient and have adapted to survive and recover from major weather events. However, following a powerful storm like Hurricane Helene, wildlife can often become displaced, injured, and left without the basic elements they need to survive. Strong winds can blow migrating birds off course, pushing them hundreds of miles away from their home habitat. Large amounts of tree loss can devastate species that depend on forests for food and shelter. Extreme flooding on the coast can create strong influxes of saltwater that dramatically shifts the delicate balance of freshwater and brackish wetland areas, and the reverse is true as heavy rainfall upstream can wash soil, sediment and many pollutants into coastal and marine environments.

With public safety as the top priority, it’s best to give wildlife time and space, observe from a distance and avoid entering dangerous areas to rescue an animal. To report an unusual, rare, or injured animal, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The post-storm calm is also a good time to fill up those bird feeders as they will be hungry and tired from waiting out the storm, especially during migration season. You can help animals survive in all kinds of weather by creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser at Bowens Island in Charleston, SC

Sunday, November 10, 5 – 7 pm


Come feast on delicious wild oysters with SCWF and help raise funds for coastal wildlife conservation! Ticket sales are now live for SCWF’s oyster roast fundraiser at the iconic Bowens Island in Charleston on Sunday, November 1oth from 5:00-7:00 pm! There will be fresh, delicious oysters, beer & wine, vegetarian options, and a raffle. If you haven’t been to Bowens Island yet, come check out this unique location that is a local favorite known for fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere, right on the marsh.

Early registrants can snag one of 25 spots for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at one of South Carolina’s newest state parks, May Forest on James Island.

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-oyster-roast-bowens-island

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner

Wednesday, November 13, 6 pm to 9 pm

Between the Antlers in Georgetown

Have you been thinking about how to include conservation in your fall plans? Join us at Between the Antlers in Georgetown for a five-course, wine-paired conservation dinner. As each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each of this year’s feautued species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive. This delicious menu was created by Executive Chef Chelsea Cribb and Chef Scott Dwyer. Use the link below to secure your tickets and sponsorships. We can’t wait!

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-forks-knives-and-spoonbills-at-between-the-antlers

Thank you to our presenting sponsors the Litchfield Company, and TheoLeo Wine, our wine sponsor.

Leave the Leaves Month


As we fall into autumn, here’s your friendly reminder to leave the leaves! Fallen leaves provide many benefits for wildlife, humans, and the environment. Pollinators, insects and other invertebrates use the natural leaf layer to overwinter, and the leaves provide critical habitat, shelter, and insulation for these critters during the cooler months. Fallen leaves can also add nutrients to our gardens as they decompose and act as natural mulch and fertilizer, saving us time and money. Consider leaving the leaves this season – the wildlife will thank you! Learn more about the benefits of fallen leaves and what to do with them in your own yard here.

World Migratory Bird Day: Birds of Ballentine in Irmo, SC

Saturday, October 12, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Image Credit: Cedar Waxwing by Brian Fox.

Join SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, for World Migratory Bird day at the Richland Library of Ballentine to learn about migratory birds and how we can help them during their long fall migrations. Come with us on a bird walk around the library’s grounds and along their nature trail to learn helpful bird identification tips and have a chance to see some of Ballentine’s migratory bird species! Sign up to join us here:

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/world-migratory-bird-day

South Carolina Native Plant Week

October 13 – 19, 2024


Celebrated annually during the third week in October, SC Native Plant Week recognizes the importance of native plants, which play a vital role in providing food and shelter for wildlife, restoring habitat, conserving water, and mitigating the effects of flooding. The combination of warm soil and cooler temperatures makes fall the perfect time of year for planting, plus it provides additional nectar for pollinators. Add native plants to your yard this fall by ordering online and certify your yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat!

Working for Wildlife – Volunteer Workday

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, December 7th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Image Caption: At last year’s volunteer day, Mason Eslinger, marked longleaf pines to help identify trees that are nesting sites for red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Friends, volunteers and staff of Carolina Sandhills NWR along with the SC Wildlife Federation will host a workday at the refuge on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Since 1998, the SC Wildlife Federation and the refuge have collaborated on volunteer projects. Check out our blog post from last year’s volunteer day here. Plan to join us for a day of learning about refuge wildlife as you help conserve and protect valuable natural resources. Anticipated projects include maintaining trails, installing trail and boundary signs, litter pick-up, and repairing boardwalks and kiosks. Sign up to join us here: https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/carolina-sandhills-nwr-workday

2024 Annual Wildlife Photography Contest

open through October 31, 2024


Submit your photos by October 31st to our 22nd Annual Wildlife Photography Contest! Send us your best photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats – in your own backyard or anywhere in the state. Registration is only $15, which covers up to three submissions in each of the following categories: Carolina Critters, Scenes of SC, and People in Nature.

Read more about each category, and register using the link below. https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/22nd-annual-wildlife-photography-contest

News & Notes

  • SCWF’s Ari Hippensteal, Community Outreach Manager, recently attended National Hunting & Fishing Day! Learn more about SCWF’s booth at this annual event here</
  • Do you know a full-time student currently pursuing a degree in any environmental field at a South Carolina college or universty? If so, encourage them to apply for our scholarship by October 31st! Learn more and apply here</
  • Would you like to learn how to certify your yard as a backyard wildlife habitat? Join Ari Hippensteal for “Trail Talk” on Oct 17 from 5:30-7:00 pm in Columbia, SC. This is part of Palmetto Trail‘s monthly speaker series. The location for this event is the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, located at 722 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205.
  • Congratulations to the Bull Point Community on achieving certification as a Community Habitat!
  • Did you know that leaving the leaves this fall can help fireflies?

SCWF at National Hunting & Fishing Day

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“I loved working at this event. Coming back to my home in the upstate of SC and getting to talk to kids about the nature and animals around them was really meaningful to me.” Ari Hippensteal.

On Saturday, September 30, an estimated 2,000 youth and adults attended the annual National Hunting & Fishing Day event at Oconee County’s South Cove County Park near Seneca. This free event offers many hands-on opportunities to learn the basics of outdoor skills like fishing, archery, and shooting with an air-rifle. Traditionally celebrated the fourth Saturday in September, this day also promotes the contribution of hunters and anglers to conservation and connects hunters and anglers to programs in their state. SCWF has been a proud partner in this event for many years!

SCWF’s booth featured educational animal pelts, Ranger Rick magazines, and an art activity about wildlife! The education animals were a big draw, especially our muskrat. Ari Hippensteal, our Community Outreach Manager, talked to kids and adults who wanted to know more about the native South Carolina wildlife which might be difficult to see up close otherwise. Feeling the fur of the bobcat or the waterproof plumage of the mallard duck gave the visitors a hands-on experience that was a new experience for many. We were also grateful to the hunters who stopped by to share personal stories about the importance of habitat conservation for the future of wildlife in our state.