Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

Although many Carolina Bays are temporary ponds that hold water only part of the year, these wetlands host a variety of wildlife, providing valuable habitat for such animals as frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes and alligators. Many birds, such as herons, egrets and migratory waterfowl, live in Carolina bays. Also mammals, such as deer, raccoons, skunks and opossums get food and water from Carolina bays. In addition, microscopic organisms called zooplankton live in Carolina bays. Salamanders and frogs are among the most abundant wildlife found in Carolina bays. As amphibians, these animals spend part of their lives in the water; as adults, they depend on Carolina bays as breeding sites where they lay their eggs.

Average water depth and soil type have a large influence on the types of plants found in and around Carolina bays. Many bays contain trees such as black gum, sweet gum, magnolia, bald cypress and maple, and shrubs such as sumac, button bush, gallberry and red bay. Also common in Carolina bays are water lilies, sedges and various grasses. Cartwheel Bay also offers several varieties of rare and beautiful carnivorous plants.

Closed captioning has been provided for this broadcast program.

 

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Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 1 1
Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

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Longleaf Pine Forest - We see a recent controlled burning. Bracken and Cinnamon ferns grow here. We also see Hooded Pitcher Plants and Wild Indigo.
Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 2 2
Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 2

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We find dwarf azaleas in this sweet smelling area. We also see the Blackjack Oak, Sundew, the grass stage of the Long Leaf Pine, and Fleabane all along the road.
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Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 3

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Along the Road - NatureScenes hosts follow the road and come upon a Copperhead snake.
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Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 4

Video

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Edge of the Bay - The edge of the bay has red bay growing, along with groups of Trumpet Pitcher Plants.
Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 4 6
Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 6

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This red-headed woodpecker is strikingly colored with its entire head red.
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Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 7

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Here we see Running Oak and Sweet Pitcher Plants. Also view a dragonfly and a Cottonmouth snake
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Cartwheel Bay (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 8

Video

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Here we have a view of Pond Pine, Sweet Bay, Magnolias and Pepper Bush. We also get a look at the Oak Toad.
Black Jack Oak | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Black Jack Oak | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Quercus marilandica Low to medium-sized tree Height 40 - 50 feet 4 - 8 inch thick, leathery and shallow-lobed leaves Brown leaves scaly or hairy underneath Twigs angled, hairy Dark trunk broken into...
Bracken Fern | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Bracken Fern | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

Photo

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Pteridium aquilinum • True terrestrial fern • Forms thickets in full sun • Grows to 3 feet tall • 3 triangular fronds originate from single place • Long subterranean rhizomes spread quickly • Abundant...
Butterwort | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Butterwort | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Pinguicula lutea Bladderwort Family (Lentibulariaceae) Carnivorous herb 12.5 - 45 cm (5 - 18 inches) tall Solitary, yellow flower at end of leafless, glandular stalk Stalk rises from basal rosette of...
Cinnamon Fern | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Cinnamon Fern | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Osmunda cinnamomea • Taller fronds in clumps • Ferns have underground stems, rhizomes, which ensure regrowth after fire • Has rusty-woolly stalks • Grows in wet, low thickets • In the center of the...
Copperhead | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Copperhead | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Agkistrodon contortrix • Moderately large, stout-bodied poisonous snake • Chestnut brown hourglass-shaped crossbands with light centers on body pattern • Green-yellow tail tips in juveniles • Pit...
Dwarf Azalea | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Dwarf Azalea | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Rhododendron atlanticum • Coastal Plain deciduous shrub • Grows 90 - 120 cm (3 - 4 feet) tall in dense colonies • Spreads by underground runners • Leaves wedge-shaped to elliptic • Twigs bristly and...
Eastern Cottonmouth Moccasin | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Eastern Cottonmouth Moccasin | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus • Very poisonous, large semi-aquatic relative of the copperhead and rattlesnake • Olive, brown, or black above; belly lighter color • Crossbands with dark borders •...
Fleabane | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Fleabane | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Erigeron annus • White composite flower • Tufted white weed • Member Sunflower Family • Name originated in belief that dried flowers could rid fleas • Erect stem covered with spreading hairs bearing...
Hooded Pitcher Plant | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Hooded Pitcher Plant | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Sarracenia minor Likes boggy areas Carnivorous, mostly insects Translucent spots on back of hood Hood is a modified leaf Hood flops down Gives off sweet smells Digestive fluid at the bottom of tubular...
Longleaf Pine | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Longleaf Pine | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Pinus palustris Beautiful starlight southern tree valued for turpentine and timber Height 60 - 70 feet Likes sandy areas Very long dark green needles grouped in 3's 8 - 18 inch needles clustered...
Meadow Beauty | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Meadow Beauty | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Rhexia virginica • Height 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 feet) • Pink flowers in broad, terminal clusters on sturdy 4-sided, slightly winged stem • Flowers 2.5 - 3.8 cm (1 - 1.5 inches) wide • 4 petals with...
Oak Toad | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Oak Toad | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Bufo quercicus • Smallest toad in North America - 1.9 - 3.3 cm (0.75 - 1.25 inches) • White to orange stripe down middle of back • 4 - 5 pairs of dark blotches on back • Cranial crests not apparent •...
Orange Milkwort | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Orange Milkwort | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Polygala lutea • Compact, head-like clusters of brilliant orange flowers 6 mm (0.25 inches) long • Leafy, simple or branched stems • 5 sepals with 2 larger lateral ones forming petal-like "wings" •...
Painted Skimmer | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Painted Skimmer | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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• Libellula semifasciata • Fast flying dragonfly • Brightly colored • Incomplete bands across wings • Wingspan noticeably greater than body length • Hovers • Live near ponds and swamps
Pepper Bush | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)
Pepper Bush | Cartwheel Bay (S.C.)

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Clethra alnifolia • Member White Alder Family • Tall, many-branched, leafy shrub • Height 90 - 300 cm (3 - 10 feet) • Upright clusters of white fragrant flowers • Sharply toothed, wedge-shaped leaves...