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Rudy Mancke Collection

Rudy Mancke, who passed away on Nov. 7 at the age of 78, became a beloved figure in South Carolina and beyond through his groundbreaking work as the host of the nationally distributed television show NatureScene and SC Public Radio’s NatureNotes. NatureScene, co-created with Beryl Dakers premiered in 1978 and continued for an impressive 25 years, gaining national recognition for its simple and innovative approach to exploring the natural world.

Within this Collection

Animals
Forest
Plants
Content Type
Springtime Darner Dragonfly | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 2

Video

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2
Some of the trees found in the area also have blossoms. The redbud is one example. On a nearby hickory tree, Rudy and Jim come across a woodpecker called a yellow bellied sap-sucker, which has come to...
Silkworm Moth | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 8

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8
In the same stop, Rudy and Jim find a species of reptile called the Green Anole lizard, and they describe the differences between a salamander and a lizard. Illustrating more of the forest’s diversity...
Mayapple | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 5

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5
When pieces of trees fall to the ground, nature has a way to recycle that debris. A species of mushroom known as the False Turkey Tail helps break down the rotting wood, adding nutrients to soil in...
Silkworm Moth | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 3

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3
Cove forests are very popular with visitors, due to the rich bottom soil found here. One animal which does very well in these areas is the beaver. Its work can be seen here with its telltale signs of...
Silkworm Moth | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4 9

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9
The cove got its shape from streams of water periodically carving out the rock. Witch Hazel and Rhododendrons are species of plants which benefit from the moisture of nearby streams.
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 7 8

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 7
Episode 8
In this next area, Rudy and Jim come across a raccoon skull, which was most likely killed by a predator. A canebrake rattlesnake rests coiled up on a bed of leaves, showing how it perfectly blends in...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 9 11

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 9
Episode 11
While strolling through the longleaf pine forest, Rudy and Jim come across a prominent moth. Its color pattern on the wings mimics tree bark near perfectly, making it tougher for predators to spot...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2 3

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3
The Earthstar is a star shaped species of fungus which commonly grows on these dunes.
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 4 5

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 5
Rudy and Jim visit an ecotone, which is a line between two different habitats: one more dry, and one moister. Here we see a fetterbush, the inkberry or gallberry, which is another species of holly...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8 9

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8
Episode 9
Cypress Tupelo Swamp: The ground here close to Indian Lake is perfect for tree species such as old cypress, red maples, and tupelos. Water pennywort resides in the water itself, and mistletoe is both...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 3 4

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 4
Sandy Island features around thirteen plant communities. At their next stop, Rudy and Jim discuss the plant life which resides here. They talk about reindeer moss, a species of lichen, and what...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2 2

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 2
Jim and Rudy discuss the composition of the sand dunes on Sandy Island, and how wind and water have shifted the dunes over time. The waters between these slopes make perfect hunting ground for local...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 5 6

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 6
Rudy and Jim walk through a longleaf pine habitat, and come across a loblolly pine with a red-cockaded woodpecker nest. We also see Turkey oak trees, and yellow jessamine flowers. The yellow jessamine...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 1 1

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1
Rudy and Jim visit Sandy Island, off the South Carolina coast, near Georgetown. Sandy Island is the largest undeveloped fresh water island on the East coast, consisting mainly of sand dunes, and...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 6 7

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 7
Here at The Refuge, Rudy and Jim come across a rare plant in South Carolina: rosemary. Not to be confused with the rosemary spice one would find in a kitchen. Turkey oaks are found here as well, along...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8 10

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Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8
Episode 10
In the same area, we see two white ibis birds. The ibis population in S.C. has increased dramatically since the 1920’s. The eastern cottonmouth is a common species of snake found in the Lowcountry
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 4 8

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 8
Canopy trees, such as the Live Oak trees, Southern Magnolia trees, and Pignut Hickory trees compete for sunlight. Rough Green Snakes are a non-poisonous species of snake commonly found in canopy trees...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2 4

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4
The Osprey, one of the species of birds found in this area, has repurposed a dead oak tree by building a nest on top of it. The Osprey reuses its same nest year after year.
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1 - Ferns, Bull Nettles, And Pocosins - Episode 2 Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 5 9

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 9
In areas known as lime sinks, plants get more moisture and sunlight. Some of the plant life we see here are horse sugar plants, holly bushes, and lizard’s tail plants. While in the lime sink, Rudy and...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1 - Ferns, Bull Nettles, And Pocosins - Episode 2 Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3 6

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 6
Still in an area close to the coast, we see different plant life due to the significantly lower levels of salinity. Willow trees grow here, and a Yellow Crowned Night Heron bird has built a nest in a...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2 3

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3
In the marsh areas close to the South Carolina coast, a tree which lives very well is the Southern Red Cedar tree.
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1 2

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2
Bracken Ferns, Bull Nettles, and the Fetterbush see widespread growth in this area. In lower, wetter areas known as pocosins, we find the Virginia Chain Fern, and a species of shrub called Pond Spice.
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3 7

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Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 7
The Southern Toad is a species of amphibian typical to the coastal plain. It is easily distinguishable due to the pair of crests between the eyes. The Long Winged Skimmer, an amber colored dragonfly...