Gardening for Nature: Legumes
Palmetto Bluff is graced with a diversity of plants belonging to the Fabaceae family, better known as legumes. These plants are present in an array of habitats and are easily […]
Gardening for Nature: Milkweeds
Beaufort County is home to roughly a dozen species of milkweed, three of which have been documented growing wild at Palmetto Bluff. The genus Asclepias earned the common name “milkweed” […]
There Is a Fungus Among Us
Walking down River Road Preserve after a good rain shower can provide hours of entertainment by observing what life is active after the rain. I spend the time looking for […]
The Drummers of the Bird World
Woody the Woodpecker is a character I remember fondly from my childhood. Even now I recall his iconic laugh and my attempts to impersonate it. Now in my adulthood, I […]
Why So Blue?
Calm, graceful, reliable, wise, inspiring. While all of these words can be associated with someone in every person’s life, they are also associated with the color blue. The 2020 Pantone […]
The Other “Flying” Mammal
Most everyone that visits Palmetto Bluff has become well acquainted with the gray and fox squirrels that roam the property. However, much to people’s surprise, the Bluff is also home […]
Predators of the Backyard
I was infatuated with nature documentaries as a child. Watching mighty predators stalk antelope across grassy savannahs before using their powerful claws and teeth to take down their prey. I […]
Emerald Moth: Floral Fashionistas
Growing up I remember hearing my parents say, “you are what you eat.” While we all know this is a metaphor, some caterpillars have taken the phrase literally. Certain emerald […]
The Cottontail Rabbit
For years there were no rabbits at Palmetto Bluff; the habitat was not right for them. Although the Bluff is extensively managed for wildlife, the techniques used by the wildlife […]
Black Willow
Whether they grow as shrubs or trees, black willows are typical willows, with elongated leaves and slender trunks. However, the distinguishing feature of this tree is its dark, furrowed bark […]
