What kind of footprints are these??

What kind of footprints?

Not the best shot here… Fred and I were walking on the beach at Botany Bay (Edisto, SC) and we saw footprints… not dog (not allowed on the beach), I’m guessing deer? Kind of V shaped? As we meandered down the path (not near the beach) two deer flew in front of us… they were on a mission, or maybe they were playing tag, who knows… they looked happy! What a cool place to live, where you know you’re secure and protected!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

SEWE Featured Artist… Dustin Van Wechel!

“Morning Graze” by artist Dustin Van Wechel. Image via artists website.

Many of you have heard of SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Exposition) that takes place in Charleston, SC each February (this year February 17-19). SEWE draws huge crowds of people and has an enormous amount of events and exhibits for you to check out. People come from all over the country (and most likely from even farther)… to see what we are so fortunate to have right here in our backyard… This years SEWE Featured artist is Dustin Van Wechel, an extremely  talented artist from Gilbert, AZ. The painting above entitled, “Morning Graze” will be auctioned at one of the SEWE exhibits. “Morning Graze” is also the poster for this years SEWE and is available for purchase. Check out Dustin’s work if you get a chance, he has a fabulous website! If you don’t have tickets yet for SEWE, why not get them now? Check out the SEWE website for more information!

Here is a blip about the artist from his website:

In February of 2002, Dustin Van Wechel left a successful 8-year career in the advertising industry to pursue his true passion, fine art, full-time.Since then, Dustin has won numerous awards including the prestigious 2004 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition, the Wildlife Award and Teton Lodge Company Award at the 2006 Arts for the Parks competition, and he’s received awards in several leading art publications as The Artist’s Magazine, The Pastel Journal,and Drawing Magazine. His work has been exhibited all throughout the U.S., including one-man shows and major art exhibitions, as well as in the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions show in Jackson, Wyoming.Dustin is a signature member in both the Society of Animal Artists and the Pastel Society of America. He and his wife, Yvonne, currently reside in Gilbert, Arizona.
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), Charleston, SC February 17-19, 2012!

Image: Google

Mark it on your calendars… make your reservations… book those plane tickets! Southeaster Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is February 17-19, 2012 in Charleston, SC! This marks the 30th year! Come see why there is such a huge draw. The city will see over 40,000 people fill the streets, auditoriums and many other venues in those three days. That’s the nice thing about this expo, it’s spread out, you can pick and choose what interests you! Did I mention the shopping district in Charleston, SC? Pretty darn exquisite… So there is something to do for everyone!

Here is an interesting fact from SEWE’s website that gives you an idea of how popular it is in Charleston:

What does SEWE do for the community?
SEWE has an economic impact of $63.8 million annually to the state, bringing life to the area at a traditionally slow time for the Lowcountry tourist industry. In addition, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition provides the public with affordable access to cultural and educational opportunities as they relate to wildlife and nature conservation and preservation
.

Whoa! 63.8 million! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Here’s a blip from the SEWE website:

Now in its 30th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education. 

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts. 

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

Here is some info from their website in regards to purchasing tickets:

How much are tickets?
General admission tickets for Friday or Saturday are $20; Sunday: $10, and 3-Day: $40.

How much are children’s tickets?
Children 10 and under are admitted free of charge.

How can I buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets may be purchased online, by phone (843/723-1748), at the Gaillard Auditorium, and at the Charleston Area Visitor Centers. 

• Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• Mount Pleasant Visitor Center/Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Kiawah Visitor Center/Town Hall, 200 Beachwalker Drive (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• North Charleston Visitor Center/American LaFrance Fire Museum, 4975-B Centre Point Drive (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sun)

Can I buy tickets at the event?
Tickets may be purchased during show hours at Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston Place Hotel, Francis Marion Hotel, Mills House Hotel, Gaillard Auditorium, Marion Square, and Brittlebank Park.

Will tickets sell out?
SEWE will not run out of General Admission tickets.  Please be advised that GA seating for events in the Gaillard Auditorium is first come, first served and is not guaranteed.  The same is true for viewing space near the ring for Retreiver and Center for Birds of Prey demos, and near the tank for DockDogs competitions.

The wildlife around here is going to do me in!

HOLY COW! The wildlife around this place is enough to do me in. Seriously. I enjoy (yeah, right) frogs and snakes, raccoons and possums as long as I’m INSIDE and they’re OUTSIDE. I always run into a situation when Fred isn’t here to rescue me, ugh! The HUGE snakes while I’ve been walking… I have to admit, they are the worst. I’m outside with Charlie (Jack Russell who would love dearly to “play” with this frog)… and out of the corner of my eye I spot this big dark thing. WHAT?! Oh…. Charlie!! LETS GO GET TREATS!! I get the beast in the house, snap a few photos of the frog when he decides to hop in and go for a swim. I watch him do laps like nothing I have ever seen! Two swift kicks (yes, frog kicks!)  and he was from one side of the pool to the other. I call Fred and ask him if this frog can possibly hop out like he hopped in. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be the answer I wanted. So I’m running back and forth with the net and this thing is wearing me out! About lap 10 he slowed down and I was able to catch him in the net and plop him down on dry ground. I got him out of the net and came inside. I warned him that he was on his own… I’m not going back out there! What next…??? Ugh, DON’T ANSWER THAT! I guess I should just be thankful I don’t have the paparazzi following me around and having all this on YouTube… argh!

Catch you back here tomorrow!!