Rudy Mancke, who passed away on Nov. 7 at the age of 78, became a beloved figure in South Carolina and beyond through his groundbreaking work as the host of the nationally distributed television show NatureScene and SC Public Radio’s NatureNotes. NatureScene, co-created with Beryl Dakers premiered in 1978 and continued for an impressive 25 years, gaining national recognition for its simple and innovative approach to exploring the natural world.
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Rudy and Jim find some Bracken fern, which is a common species of nonflowering plant in the area. And close by, they find a feeding Funnel spider, and a Black Widow spider.
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Limestone Mall Bluff – These large rock outcroppings are estimated to be around 30 million years old. Here, we see an abundance of large ferns, Papaws, Redbuds, and Ash trees.
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Biggin Creek – Here at this wetland area, we see Duckweed, Mosquito Fern, Cypress trees, Spanish Moss, Wild Rice, Bur Marigold, Rose Hips, . Out in the water, Rudy and Jim spot a Great Blue Heron, and...
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Here at a higher elevation above the limestone, and where the soil is more loamy, we see more diverse plant life: White Oak trees, American Beech, Witch Hazel, Sparkleberry, and Switch Cane.
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The Visitor Center – The park and visitor center is a great place to learn about both natural and man-made history. The entrance to the park features a replica of what a lock in the canal looked like...
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Here, outside Old Santee Canal Park’s visitor center, we see a Green Jacket dragonfly, live oaks, Poison Ivy, Trumpet Creeper, Southern Sugar Maple, and a Yellow Bellied Sap-Sucker in a nearby...
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Rudy and Jim come across an Osprey, or “Fish Hawk” in a nearby tree.
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Rudy and Jim visit Old Santee Canal Park, a historic lowcountry area near Monck’s Corner, South Carolina. The area features a wide array of habitats, containing both native and non-native plants. Some...
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Limestone Trail – Along the trail, Rudy and Jim find an old kiln, left behind by inhabitants from around the 1860’s and 1880’s. Some of the plants that have come to dominate the old quarry area, are...
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The Santee Canal – This canal took seven years to build, from 1793-1800, and is around 22 miles long. Duckweed and Pennywort are seen growing along the sides of the canal. Rudy and Jim find a Chain...
