The onslaught of heavy rains soaking South Carolina in recent days has led to closure of Congaree National Park, where the Congaree River has gone from roughly 6 feet to nearly 19 feet in the past three days. Flood stage for the river in the park is 15 feet.

Sure, it's only January 2, but it's not too early to sign up for a spot on one of the ranger-led canoe tours at Congaree National Park this year.

Exploring miles of boardwalk and a dense canopy of old growth hardwood trees might be what many visitors remember about Congaree National Park. But about ten times a year the waters from the Conagree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain wilderness, opening up a whole new surreal world for paddlers and an opportunity to discover the forest from a unique perspective. Kayak through the woods and experience this special place through the eyes of local veterans Eric Guzman and Edye Joyner.

It’s not much of a secret among my birding companions that I am quite fond of woodpeckers. From their unique physiology allowing them to safely bang their head into wood for hours on end to the common theme of stark black, white, and red coloration, woodpeckers are fantastic birds.