Magnolia’s rookery attracting birds and photographers

CHARLESTON, SC – May 19, 2011 – The soft click of the camera’s shutter has become a familiar sound this season in the rookery at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens as newly hatched birds beg for food.

Chris Smith, director of Magnolia’s zoo, said more photographers than usual are in the rookery to capture the cycle of life. Scattered throughout the 80-acre Audubon Swamp Garden, the rookery has been the seasonal home of local and migratory birds since the beginning of time.

Smith attributes Magnolia’s first-ever photo contest, which ends May 31, as the reason for the increase in pictures of nest building and baby bird maturing. Many of the images are showing up on Facebook, he said.

“This shows that people have an interest in documenting the wildlife, and they are enjoying what we have to offer,” Smith said.

Perry Baker, a photographer for the S.C. Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism, visited the rookery recently. Baker’s video can be viewed at: <a href=http://bit.ly/lqDWQS targ