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Infinite delight and mystery
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 02:44PM 
Earlier this week, I and the girls were thirsty for adventure.
So we set out for Sumter, South Carolina, some forty-odd miles due east of Columbia, where there is a nature preserve called Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
The story is that SLIG is the only public park in the US to feature all eight swan species.
I'm no stripe of a swannoisseur but I identified only two species: black and white.
But since it happens that noir/blanc be my favorite color combination, it was all good.
And on the black'uns you've got to love that pop of color in the red beak. It's attitude.
The white ones were all mad at the black ones the day we visited, so maybe they'd heard of the goings-on in Baltimore. I did not stop to inquire.
Temperature-wise it was ideal: in the low seventies with even lower stupidity. I mean humidity. Alas the sky was not pretty but we made do.
A gorgeous and rather recent addition to Swan Lake is Recovery, an eighteen-foot sculpture by the artist Grainger McKoy, depicting a pintail duck wing in flight mode.
The large bronze plaque accompanying the installation brought us up to speed:
If you know me at all, you're aware that I prefer the King James translation of any Bible verse, this one in particular because, as they say, if it ain't broke:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I was grateful for the opportunity to see the sculpture, take its picture, and read the plaque. The setting is so splendidly serene, so sweetly stunning, I cannot describe it so I won't try.
The lake is full of cypress trees and their reflections were rather fantastic.
Along the bank of the lake where the swans come to walk up and be landlubbers for a time before wading back in, are whole colonies of cypress-stump people, waving their arms or simply standing still.
There is even a beach of sorts, where the swans and ducks waddle up to two generous feeders. On their way they nearly trip over an army of turtles camping out in the shallows, even wading on shore too, for what reason I could not tell.
The feeders are too tall for turtle use.
Across the road from Swan Lake the park continues, in a deep green forest of cypress, complete with drippy Spanish moss, which one doesn't often see this far north.
The swans are less in evidence there; it seems to be more of a duck reserve. The mallards are in residence, lovely shimmering jewel-tone feathers a delight to the eye.
Bridges provide walkpaths and aside from a strong smell of bird dung (sorry but I have to say, it was overwhelming at times), the experience was most pleasant.
Almost dreamy in fact, because my Nikon was loving it, nearly cooing as I snapped away at this calm green vista and that. Except by then, my leg was hurting from having walked so much.
In the company of swans, one wishes to swan as much as possible. But in the presence of osteoarthritis, after a time one is prone to perambulate like a much less graceful bird. I miss my youth.
Speaking of youth, and love: Baby Dagny loved it, loved it, loved it. The child adores being outside, adores being with all of us. And of course, having her with us is a treat and a delight so keen, we wonder what good thing we did to deserve it.
Children are precious. Swans and ducks and turtles are breathtakingly graceful, somtimes clumsy, always noisy, wonderfully natural, uniquely spectacular symbols of God's presence, His provision, His plan, and His providence. They remind us that all lives matter.
Black and white, and every color in between. At all stages, from conception to passing, and even beyond.
This is what I saw and what I knew at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
As it should be.
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Happy Wednesday
Reader Comments (8)
What a gorgeous setting and that sculpture is just breathtaking! I'm glad you girls got to enjoy being there and being together. Good thing you included one picture of Dagny. I kept scrolling looking for a picture of that sweet face - adorable as always! She's looking so much older. When does she turn one?
@Mari ... yes, we had to include Dagny ... even though I was so busy snapping swans, I almost didn't get a good one of her! She turns one on June 14th. A big party is in the planning stages.
You always have such spectacular adventures.
Gorgeous photo's. I "swan" if my blog friends didn't go places,
I'd never see anything! Seriously though, I love this post and
I needed it; the pictures, the words, Dagny - sweet, sweet girl.
xoxo
@Irene ... we do make an effort in that direction! Haahaha xoxo
@Sally ... thanks my friend, and you do lots more than you think. xoxo
I am SO with you on the All Lives Matter thing....!
Saw a few of these on Instagram...Love them! SO beautiful, girl!
Happy weekend!
Hope your leg feels better!
hughugs
Hello Jenny, Thanks for taking me to this magical place of cypress and swans and water. Those tree trunks remind me of thin elephant legs with huge feet (I love the second photo). I didn't realize that you have osteoarthritis - I'm glad it hasn't stopped you from finding the beauty in Nature and snapping away to share with us. Dagny is beyond precious and growing so fast. Enjoy each moment!
@Donna ... thanks luv. I just have to do a little at a time and not overdo.
@Barb ... I appreciate your appreciation! And yes, my hip is pretty bad, getting worse all the time. I'm taking a certain glucosamine supplement now that came highly recommended and that I hope will help. If I walk for too long it becomes very painful. But I don't let it stop me from getting out because I just have to. Except when it gets too hot (very soon) that will put a stop to outdoor walking for other reasons! But we always find something to aim the lens at, don't we! And soon I can get my exercise in the pool. xoxo