American Alligators on Osprey Pond in Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message

Juvenile American Alligator swimming in Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Beaufort County, South Carolina, USA. Pinckney Island is part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex near Hilton Head Island.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful spot for some easy wildlife photography. It is a roughly 4,000 acre nature preserve located along coastal South Carolina, USA. The refuge is very well maintained and has an extensive gravel roadway, excellent for casual hiking and birding. Sitting at the entrance bridge to Hilton Head Island, a popular beach island resort area, the Pinckney Island NWR sees many visitors.

​The many visitors usually stay along the gravel roadway, and don’t venture too far past the first main pond, Ibis Pond, and the butterfly gardens located there. But a bonus awaits the explorer that pushes on past the first mile. While one will spot many beautiful wading birds along that first stretch, some of the more seclusive animals may be harder to see. The further back you go on the island, the fewer people you’ll pass, and the more wildlife you’ll encounter.

My adventure this morning took me back to Osprey Pond and even further to the Nini Chapin Pond. It was here I found the alligators! There were several adults and about 9 juveniles on Osprey Pond. And hidden on the Nini Chapin pond was a pod of about 15 tiny alligators born this summer. Each were about 9 inches long, were brightly colored with their yellow stripes, and let out that cute little chirp characteristic of baby alligators. In my excitement, I didn’t quite notice that their chirping had brought their guardian mother over to check me out. Thankfully, as I kept my distance, so did she! 

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort County, South Carolina.
 - Morning showers, high near 78 degrees.
 - Sunrise 7:34 AM; Sunset 6:39 PM
 - Daylight hours: 11 hours, 5 minutes (-1m 48s)
 - Moon 79% Waning Gibbous