Crooked River State Park

On May 7th, we migrated to this wonderful state park in the southeastern-most part of Georgia, in the small town of St. Mary's.

As well as fireflies and armadillos, you can find wild pigs at this park - where else, but at the bird feeders (just like everyone else)!

The piggies really aren't supposed to be here. I don't think they're native, and I'm afraid they are probably considered harmful for native environments in general, but they are awfully cute. Probably even cuter (if you ask me) than the birds that didn't show up...

A cool boat off of St. Mary's.

In front of one of the two or three (OK, there might've been a couple more but not many!) tourist shops in St. Mary's. (yes, the kitties were taking us on a scenic tour around town)

We had to park on the other side...

Poor little Tracky got too hot and tired. Time for a "Daddy Carry."

One cool dude. Looks kinda gangsta, dudn't he?!

Park tortoise-type.

One of the nice piers at the park.

Nearby were the early 1800s ruins of the "Tabby Sugar Works of John Houstoun McIntosh." To me, hidden in the moss-cloaked forest, with only occasional rays of sunlight, the ruins took on a more mysterious air and felt like an even more ancient ruin of civilization...

I mean, doesn't this feel Mayan to you?

And the tabby part? That was an old-fashioned type of concrete using oyster shells. You use what you got a lot of, right?! I guess its usage was pretty prevalent in SC and GA.

Dad and daughter out riding. Now that's what I'm talking about - family time! Making good memories, making good people. Can never be too much of that.

OK, see the reddish dot in the middle? Yeah, well it's part of a neato woodpecker (OK, Bob - what kind???), but I didn't have my long lens on, so this is what you get! But click to enlarge, and you might actually be able to see the darn thing!

One of the best parts of this park was its trails - great for our little bike!!

Bambi likes BBQ??

Well yes, apparently! This little deer was not at all afraid of humans. Gee, I wonder why?! Something tells me quite a few folks have allowed her to partake a few too many times... Very cute, but not very natural. If she gets too used to human food, what does she do when the campers go home? Or when she gets a stingy camping crowd who subscribe to the idea that wild animals should be eating wild food?! (hmm, what a strange notion, eh?!) This is the same human behavior that gets other poor critters - like bears and alligators - killed. They get too habituated, become threatening to the holders of the goodies, and then get eliminated by park service (usually under the auspices of being "relocated," but that usually means KILLED when you ask them to get more specific...). And that is most definitely NOT cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their lives aren't worth a measly photo op!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and that's ME saying that!!!)

I'm happy to report that while I did take advantage of the photographic moment, and the campers did enjoy this girl's company, none of us fed her. But, as you saw in the Sam Houston Jones State Park photos, this is pretty common practice in many areas. And while it may not directly harm the deer, it did lead to the "removal" of an alligator from Crooked River!! :(

The End

(well, for now...)