tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83922926949590600862024-02-19T08:47:22.161-08:00Visions of Hilton Head IslandTom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-79119299910121279782011-07-08T15:44:00.000-07:002011-07-08T15:44:55.359-07:00A change of sceneryHaving lived my entire life on coastal shores and marsh tidal basins you can imagine my reluctance with the prospects of vacationing in the 'great white north.' Okay, perhaps that is a tad melodramatic since it is summer after all; but we are referring to Northern Michigan and let's face it, it is not the subtropical ecosystem of Hilton Head Island. But I do have some sense of adventure and this Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-3900241193288436392011-01-07T06:11:00.000-08:002011-01-07T06:11:43.823-08:00Remains of Civil War era boat emerge on Sea Pines shoreThe Island Packet ran a fascinating story today about the remains of a Civil War era boat that emerged from the eroding shoreline along the Calibogue Sound.
The story includes this interesting photograph.
Photo credit: Jay Karr - The Island Packet
Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-79783012414358321662010-11-07T11:58:00.000-08:002010-11-07T11:58:57.820-08:00The forgotten history of fire suppression on Hilton Head IslandSeveral months ago I did some research on the history of the fire service on Hilton Head Island. What I uncovered was beyond my wildest expectations.
I had known that Hilton Head Island, located between Charleston and Savannah, was an important base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports during the Civil War.
What I didn't know was that a fire department thrived here. The Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-61541032136306286012010-08-15T12:36:00.000-07:002010-08-15T15:18:32.504-07:00Mushrooms spotted at the Villas of SummerfieldHere's an interesting specimen that we're attempting to identify.
Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-22205325836644296522010-07-16T15:24:00.001-07:002010-07-16T15:32:42.093-07:00Pelicans at duskFolly Field Beach on Hilton HeadKellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-30456111967408587192010-07-09T14:09:00.001-07:002010-07-09T14:12:37.577-07:00A perfect day out on the water!Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-80395750803432624262010-07-08T05:08:00.000-07:002010-07-08T05:35:33.319-07:00Birdfeeder BanditRecently while visiting family in the Preserve at Indigo Run, we caught a beautiful white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus hiltonensis) feasting on bird seed from a birdfeeder that hangs from shepherds hook approximately 4 feet from the ground. Despite the fact that she could see us through the kitchen window, she was determined to get to the feeder and enjoy an easy meal. Apparently this was Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-17844045082077839642010-07-04T05:26:00.000-07:002010-07-04T05:36:11.701-07:00Sea Turtle Nesting on Hilton Head Island Great news for the local ecology! See "County sea turtle nests near record levels" Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-44489239197835676022010-07-03T05:32:00.001-07:002010-07-03T05:40:58.028-07:00Manatees in Hilton HeadAlthough I have never had the privilige of seeing a manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in Hilton Head waters, these gentle and endangered creatures do make their way into Skull Creek and Broad Creek. They are slow moving and nonthreating which makes them vulnerable to injury from boats and other motorized watercraft. Kayaking is a great way to see wildlife that will not injure manatees or Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-8872083012219580912010-06-13T09:44:00.000-07:002010-06-13T09:57:09.362-07:00Ocean conservation - TED TalksTom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-68719265873258029172010-06-13T06:25:00.001-07:002010-06-13T06:45:14.197-07:00Injured sea turtle found in May RiverThe South Carolina Sea Turtle Hospital reported the rescue of an injured Kemp's Ridley sea turtle in the May River in Bluffton, SC. The turtle was apparently struck by a boat causing damage to his carapace. "May" is currently recovering at the Turtle Hospital in Charleston, SC.Kemp's Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) are smaller than their Loggerhead cousins and have a wide distribution area, Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-59114997368490143762010-06-09T16:46:00.000-07:002010-06-09T16:51:41.010-07:00Botany 101 Last weekend we went for a walk along the Folly on the beach and came across an interesting and abundant plant along the edge of the water. Bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens) is a common sea-coast or salt marsh shrub that grows in the sandy dunes and is tolerant of the “salty soil.” Thanks to Dr Hill with the SC Native Plant Society for helping me identify this plant.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-18144932908004340072010-06-06T06:13:00.001-07:002010-06-06T13:15:39.153-07:00Not exactly Peter Cottontail... Upon driving home from dinner last evening, we saw a marsh rabbit nibbling on vegetation along the road that backs up into a marshy area off of Jarvis Creek.The Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) is often forgotten as wildlife associated with the coastal region of the Lowcountry. These native rabbits are smaller and darker than their northern cousins, the Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-7935010071928723922010-05-31T05:10:00.000-07:002010-05-31T13:52:25.802-07:00Harbour Town
I love playing tourist when family visits. I get to look at Hilton Head with a different perspective than that of the routine, day-to-day happenings.
Spending the day and evening in Sea Pines Plantation, we had the opportunity to enjoy the sun setting around the famous red & white striped lighthouse in Harbour Town. It is quite a view and a must see when visiting Hilton Head Island.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-69270898547729531782010-05-29T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-30T09:04:55.889-07:00Dolphin EncounterWhile taking a leisurely boat ride on Broad Creek, Hilton Head Island a resident Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncates) swam up to the boat. These incredible creatures are abundant in the coastal waters of Hilton Head and tend to be very friendly; often they are looking for food. It is against the law to feed or harass the dolphins or any other wildlife – although it is very hard not Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-43078769699140964892010-04-04T17:52:00.000-07:002010-04-04T18:04:49.577-07:00SurvivalNot all is perfect and predictable in the world of nature; and often I am reminded of this harsh reality. Missing one foot, this seagull has possibly cheated death. Despite his disability, he has adapted amazingly well. Today, even the predictable scenery was anything but ordinary. Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-5234209993909941092010-03-25T06:12:00.000-07:002010-03-25T06:12:26.322-07:00Harbor Seal Spotted On Hilton Head IslandThe Island Packet is reporting this morning that a wayward harbor seal was spotted on the heel of Hilton Head Island on March 15, 2010.
This is extremely rare and the first seal spotting I have ever heard of on Hilton Head Island.
The story is accompanied by these captivating photographs.
Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-1464956918661006332010-03-15T16:52:00.000-07:002010-03-16T17:03:20.581-07:00Mitchellville Beach Park, Hilton Head Island, SCOn a relatively warmer day in January we took the opportunity to try my new Cannon EOS Rebel XS/1000D at a local beach park. We were lucky to find various shorebirds enjoying the low tide and managed a few good shots. A personal favorite of mine are Sanderlings. These small little birds spend their time skittering along the sand and surf searching for food. Their fast movements make them a Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094574438290449464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-69714296569881241602009-09-07T06:48:00.001-07:002009-09-07T06:49:21.696-07:00South Beach Marina, August 2009Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-56647716928061366312009-07-26T10:04:00.000-07:002009-07-26T17:13:13.319-07:00Bumblebees pollinating a magnolia treeEarly this morning (about 6:30 a.m.) as I was leaving my girlfriends house, I spotted these bumblebees (note the corbicula on hind legs) polinating a magnolia tree. Part of me wanted to fold back the petals of the flower so I could see the bees better, but I decided to leave it alone!We nature photographers don't like to interfere! :)Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-33696942273928111842009-07-25T10:17:00.000-07:002009-07-25T10:22:25.472-07:00Close encounter with dolphinI shot this video with my Canon PowerShot A450 (cheap little point-and-shoot camera that takes surprisingly good video). This was at the head of Broad Creek as we turned in toward Shelter Cove Harbour for lunch. This friendly dolphin hung around just long enough to figure out we didn't have any food. A few minutes later, I dove into the water wearing my prescription sunglasses.Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392292694959060086.post-85285751015490100012009-07-24T14:02:00.001-07:002009-07-24T14:03:55.869-07:00Water spoutsA few mornings ago as I was getting off duty, dispatch contacted the fire station to let us know that up to 3 water spouts had been reported in the area.I love water spouts, and I've been waiting 12 years (the time I've lived on Hilton Head Island) to see one in real life!It turns out there was a water spout just off the coast along South Forest Beach. I could have turned left out of the fire Tom Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291404904437933272noreply@blogger.com0