Sparkleberry Swamp - May 21, 2005
Submitted by Pam Reutebuch on March 6, 2006 - 9:52pm.
By Kate Whitaker
Water Height at Lake Marion - Approximately 75.63
This trip was a little smaller than the Governor's paddling foray into Sparkleberry a few weeks ago, but we didn't lag far behind in numbers. Lynn Smith, President of the South Carolina Association of Naturalists (SCAN) with many of her folks, was waiting for us at the landing when we arrived about 10:10. EARLY, but still after they were already there and unloaded. Always like to see that kind of enthusiasm! After meeting and greeting and signing the release, they hit the water but people and boats kept arriving - and kept arriving! It took close to an hour to get all the people, gear and boats into the water, using three staging areas - both ramps and the small beach on the left of them. The ones who were ready on time floated about in the pond, chatting and waiting patiently for the rest of us to get organized and launch. Eventually we were all sorted out and on the water, borrowed boats with novice paddlers in the proper cockpits.
With all the boats floating, drifting and darting about, a count of them was problematic so we had an old-fashioned count-off, coming up eventually with 32 boats - tandem canoes paddled both solo and in pairs, one tandem sit-on-top, and assorted sea and recreational kayaks. There was no similar count of actual people, but, using the liability release, I have since come up with these numbers: 11 SCAN, 20 Palmetto Paddlers and 7 guests (who we hope will be joining the club now that they've experienced us in all our glory!!) - let me know if I missed anyone!
After a very brief safety talk and introduction of the coordinators (Tom and Pam both had agreed to help with questions, safety and keeping the group IN a group!) a check of whistles, the setting of GPSs and tuning all walkie/talkies to channel 5, we were off in quite an orderly fashion, I thought, for such a large group. After a brief wait at the Yield Sign to be sure we were all together and getting a report from the middle of the group and the tail as well, we headed across Sparkleberry Flats and into the trees at a nice, leisurely pace. The beauty and quiet of the place is awesome and it was nice to see it new again through the eyes of the first-time visitors. The plan was to go to the license plate tree/post landmark in Mill Creek and have a free-float time in that area so everyone could explore without being afraid of getting left.
JT Martin is old 'ol swamp hound and member, and at this juncture, he volunteered to take a group of interested paddlers out to McGirt's Lake to do some exploring a little further asea, so to speak. This alternative plan had a number of enthusiastic volunteers so off they went, never to be seen again (just kidding - they did show up back at the landing and I presume were all accounted for!). Eighteen boats went "that-a-way" while the rest of us explored the area we were in for awhile before heading off towards and into Otter Flats where we paddled up to the cut-off to McGirt's where we stopped, rafted up and had some lunch. Everyone helped each other get food out of hatches since there was no dry land - as promised - and it was a very pleasant drift while folks got another chance to explore and chat with one another - and check out what was on the luncheon menu! Don't think anyone went hungry and suspect there was some generous sharing going on as this group was very congenial.
We paddled down McGirt's Creek for a while before deciding to turn back and head back towards the landing. There were lots of sighting the whole trip of flora and fauna and discussion of proper designations of same. Many, many pictures were taken (see slide show), including a group take at the lunch stop and one near the end of the trip. I do intend to count heads when I see them and see if everyone is in both or if we're missing anyone. That's what a good trip coordinator should do, right! Check the numbers! We did have one stop on the way back to view a friendly Prothonotory Warbler and his nest was spotted and investigated from afar; we did not disturb the nesting site.
Too soon we were back at the landing and the process of landing and loading boats got started, With everyone helping; we made short work of the process; certainly moved more expeditiously than it appeared we did that morning. But then our 18 were not cluttering up the way out; though it was very nice to see them arrive before we were all packed to go. They reported that they had a great time too and that JT and friend were loath to leave yet so they elected to keep paddling a while longer. Haven't seen them since! (Though I have gotten an email from JT.) Lynn Smith kept a list of things we saw on the water and emailed it to me Monday. I have included it below. Check it out! Nice to have a record kept of some of the things we saw along the way.
Some had had enough and headed for home, but a "few" weren't ready to give up yet so headed for barbeque at Country Fixins outside of Paxville. In fact, twenty hardy souls met for a wonderful dinner and more talk and tall tales. Jack Horan took some more notes and is ready to publish an article with his pictures of our trip in the Charlotte newspaper's Outdoor section June 4th. He was one of our guests this trip and was awed by the beauty and remoteness of the area. (Note: He is also a writer of Paddling South Carolina - a book a few of you might have glanced at once or twice!!)
It was a great trip and, by all reports, everyone had a wonderful time. Fun to have all the SCAN folks with us and our other guests and, as always, a great day on the water.
Sparkleberry Swamp
Documented Sightings
By Lynn Smith
May 21, 2005
The BIG dark dragonfly (Pam took a picture, I think), Royal river Cruiser, Macromia taeniolat. The smaller blue or green dragonfly that kept landing on the boats is the Eastern Pondhawk. He turns blue in 'old age'.
Prothonotary Warblers, including the nest in the cavity. Pam took pictures.
Water Ash, Fraxinus caroliniana
Water tupelo or Tupelo Gum, Nyssa aquatica
Water Elm, or Planer Tree, Planera aquatica
The herbaceous plants in the mats included:
Elephant Ear, Taro, Colocasia esculenta
Water pennywort, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (means buttercup-like)
Water-Primrose, Ludwigia uraguayenis
Spatterdock, Nuphar species
Charlotte Observer Article by Jack Horan
Water Height at Lake Marion - Approximately 75.63
This trip was a little smaller than the Governor's paddling foray into Sparkleberry a few weeks ago, but we didn't lag far behind in numbers. Lynn Smith, President of the South Carolina Association of Naturalists (SCAN) with many of her folks, was waiting for us at the landing when we arrived about 10:10. EARLY, but still after they were already there and unloaded. Always like to see that kind of enthusiasm! After meeting and greeting and signing the release, they hit the water but people and boats kept arriving - and kept arriving! It took close to an hour to get all the people, gear and boats into the water, using three staging areas - both ramps and the small beach on the left of them. The ones who were ready on time floated about in the pond, chatting and waiting patiently for the rest of us to get organized and launch. Eventually we were all sorted out and on the water, borrowed boats with novice paddlers in the proper cockpits.
With all the boats floating, drifting and darting about, a count of them was problematic so we had an old-fashioned count-off, coming up eventually with 32 boats - tandem canoes paddled both solo and in pairs, one tandem sit-on-top, and assorted sea and recreational kayaks. There was no similar count of actual people, but, using the liability release, I have since come up with these numbers: 11 SCAN, 20 Palmetto Paddlers and 7 guests (who we hope will be joining the club now that they've experienced us in all our glory!!) - let me know if I missed anyone!
After a very brief safety talk and introduction of the coordinators (Tom and Pam both had agreed to help with questions, safety and keeping the group IN a group!) a check of whistles, the setting of GPSs and tuning all walkie/talkies to channel 5, we were off in quite an orderly fashion, I thought, for such a large group. After a brief wait at the Yield Sign to be sure we were all together and getting a report from the middle of the group and the tail as well, we headed across Sparkleberry Flats and into the trees at a nice, leisurely pace. The beauty and quiet of the place is awesome and it was nice to see it new again through the eyes of the first-time visitors. The plan was to go to the license plate tree/post landmark in Mill Creek and have a free-float time in that area so everyone could explore without being afraid of getting left. JT Martin is old 'ol swamp hound and member, and at this juncture, he volunteered to take a group of interested paddlers out to McGirt's Lake to do some exploring a little further asea, so to speak. This alternative plan had a number of enthusiastic volunteers so off they went, never to be seen again (just kidding - they did show up back at the landing and I presume were all accounted for!). Eighteen boats went "that-a-way" while the rest of us explored the area we were in for awhile before heading off towards and into Otter Flats where we paddled up to the cut-off to McGirt's where we stopped, rafted up and had some lunch. Everyone helped each other get food out of hatches since there was no dry land - as promised - and it was a very pleasant drift while folks got another chance to explore and chat with one another - and check out what was on the luncheon menu! Don't think anyone went hungry and suspect there was some generous sharing going on as this group was very congenial.
We paddled down McGirt's Creek for a while before deciding to turn back and head back towards the landing. There were lots of sighting the whole trip of flora and fauna and discussion of proper designations of same. Many, many pictures were taken (see slide show), including a group take at the lunch stop and one near the end of the trip. I do intend to count heads when I see them and see if everyone is in both or if we're missing anyone. That's what a good trip coordinator should do, right! Check the numbers! We did have one stop on the way back to view a friendly Prothonotory Warbler and his nest was spotted and investigated from afar; we did not disturb the nesting site.
Too soon we were back at the landing and the process of landing and loading boats got started, With everyone helping; we made short work of the process; certainly moved more expeditiously than it appeared we did that morning. But then our 18 were not cluttering up the way out; though it was very nice to see them arrive before we were all packed to go. They reported that they had a great time too and that JT and friend were loath to leave yet so they elected to keep paddling a while longer. Haven't seen them since! (Though I have gotten an email from JT.) Lynn Smith kept a list of things we saw on the water and emailed it to me Monday. I have included it below. Check it out! Nice to have a record kept of some of the things we saw along the way. Some had had enough and headed for home, but a "few" weren't ready to give up yet so headed for barbeque at Country Fixins outside of Paxville. In fact, twenty hardy souls met for a wonderful dinner and more talk and tall tales. Jack Horan took some more notes and is ready to publish an article with his pictures of our trip in the Charlotte newspaper's Outdoor section June 4th. He was one of our guests this trip and was awed by the beauty and remoteness of the area. (Note: He is also a writer of Paddling South Carolina - a book a few of you might have glanced at once or twice!!)
It was a great trip and, by all reports, everyone had a wonderful time. Fun to have all the SCAN folks with us and our other guests and, as always, a great day on the water.
Sparkleberry Swamp
Documented Sightings
By Lynn Smith
May 21, 2005
The BIG dark dragonfly (Pam took a picture, I think), Royal river Cruiser, Macromia taeniolat. The smaller blue or green dragonfly that kept landing on the boats is the Eastern Pondhawk. He turns blue in 'old age'.
Prothonotary Warblers, including the nest in the cavity. Pam took pictures.
Water Ash, Fraxinus caroliniana
Water tupelo or Tupelo Gum, Nyssa aquatica
Water Elm, or Planer Tree, Planera aquatica
The herbaceous plants in the mats included:
Elephant Ear, Taro, Colocasia esculenta
Water pennywort, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (means buttercup-like)
Water-Primrose, Ludwigia uraguayenis
Spatterdock, Nuphar species
Charlotte Observer Article by Jack Horan
