Located in the heart of the South Carolina low-country between Columbia and Charleston, Four Holes Swamp is a 45,000-acre matrix of black water sloughs and lakes, shallow bottomland hardwoods, and deep Bald cypress and Tupelo Gum flats. Four Holes Swamp is a major tributary of the Edisto River. Over 15,000 of those acres are owned by the National Audubon Society and make up what is known as the Francis Beidler Forest. The Beidler Forest was originally established to preserve 1,800 acres of old-growth swamp forest, one of only two stands of old-growth still left in the state. Most of the huge Bald cypress in this part of the swamp are in the neighborhood of 1,000 years old. The oldest known tree on the sanctuary clocked in at 1,500 years old! A visitor center, 1.75-mile boardwalk trail, and a canoe trail on which guided trips are led, provide visitors the chance to explore deep into the swamp’s interior.
Beidler Forest – Images by Drew Selman
Truth be told though, we went there because in South Carolina there was just one place that I could take Lindsay to see Otters. So when you get to the photos that have a lake in them, that’s where they are supposed to be. They’re weren’t any. But instead of getting upset, Lindsay saw a turtle swimming in that lake and was thrilled to pieces. You should have heard her call her other 10 year old friend. “We walked through this swamp to see the otters but there were none. But it was cool ’cause I got to see a real turtle in the water swimming. It was like a real zoo but without fences.” As much of an otter fan as she is, I was delighted that she got so much out of it.
Enjoy the photos. It was as peaceful and beautiful as it looks. I have attached an audio snapshot posted here. Its a minute long and if you loop it, it will be the perfect drift off to sleep noise. Well maybe except the airplane flying overhead. Oh well. I cant win them all.
*River Otter. Duh.
