Category Archives: wildlife

Our Love for South Carolina’s State Reptile, the Loggerhead Turtle and Their Relatives

Posted on by

Our guest writer is Maria Delaney.

I am hoping this article will raise the awareness and provide you with tips on how you, your families, and friends can protect these beautiful creatures.   Both my husband and I are members of the Myrtle Beach Chapter of CNPA.  We love turtles and are members of the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts, S.C.U.T.E.  S.C.U.T.E. volunteers are dedicated to sea turtle conservation in Georgetown and Horry counties and are permitted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, SCDNR, to protect and, if necessary, relocate turtle nests.

I retired to Pawleys Island in 2008 and he in 2010.   As a retirement presents, we purchased Nikon D90s. This camera is awesome.  When we were looking to retire and came to South Carolina, we saw that the Low Country had spectacular sunrises, sunsets, beaches, flora but most of all wildlife in every size and shape.  We were particularly amazed and in awe of the Loggerhead, Green, and Kemp Ridley Turtles.

In 2007, we saw our first Loggerhead turtle hatching and were astonished at how precious they were and that they are on the endangered species list.  We couldn’t wait to live in Pawleys full time and become active members in S.C.U.T.E.

Sea turtles have many natural hazards such as sharks, fish, birds, ghost crabs and erosion of nests, but they have faced these hazards for millions of years and have adapted to them. However, in the last few decades, man has added unnatural hazards such as buildings and seawalls on the dunes and beaches; illumination of the beach and coastal areas; firework ruminants, plastics, and fishing line littering the beach; tractors being driven on the beaches to manicure them; children leaving their deep dug holes unfilled; and adults leaving tents and chairs overnight; and people disturbing sea turtles as they nest at night.  Therefore, it is important to know that artificial lighting can be hazardous to a mother sea turtle and the hatchlings when they are born.  S.C.U.T.E. continues to work to control beachfront lighting, which disorients nesting female turtles and hatchlings. When loggerhead hatchlings emerge from the shell, they are attracted to the blue and green wavelengths of light, which are naturally reflected off the ocean through celestial light. They use this natural light cue to navigate from the nest towards the ocean.  If an artificial light source on the beach is brighter than the natural light, the hatchlings will head towards this artificial source. The hatchlings become disoriented and crawl away from the ocean towards the brightest light and become more susceptible to nocturnal predators and desiccation.  While crawling the wrong way on the beach, hatchlings exhaust valuable, limited energy needed to swim offshore.  Hatchlings need energy once they reach the ocean to swim towards floating Sargassum seaweed found as far as 60 miles offshore. They use the seaweed as camouflage to protect them from predators.  The seaweed is also home to small crustaceans that loggerhead hatchlings eat to replenish their energy. Thanks in part to the efforts of S.C.U.T.E., Georgetown County and the town of Pawleys Island have passed ordinances to limit beachfront lighting along their beaches. Beachfront lighting has been minimized in some areas of Horry County as well.

During their nesting season, May-October, as S.C.U.T.E. volunteers, we walk the beach early just before daybreak and look for tracks and remove debris.   We discovered turtle tracks that avoided firework debris in order to lay her nest.  This type of debris needs to be picked up from the beach.  On another day we discovered tracks and unfortunately, the mother laid her eggs below the high tide line and the nest had to be relocated which consisted of 120 eggs. After relocating the nest, we place mesh fencing to protect the nest from predators.  We monitored this particular nest during the incubation period approximately 55-60 days.  We were surprised that on the 57 day, there was a depression in the nest area.  Approximately 20 minutes later the hatchlings emerged which was truly amazing.  We were able to count 110 of them as they were racing for the ocean and all that remained were their prints.  As a photographer and a turtle lover it is extremely important that you never use a flash when shooting the hatchlings at night.  For great shots use a tripod and the proper settings to capture these truly magnificent endangered species with harming them.

Three days later we conducted an inventory in the early evening as the sun was setting and were blessed with 5 other hatchlings.  Inventories are a controlled setting with trained volunteers to dig up the nest and allow the weaker turtles a chance to survive.  The trained volunteers will place the hatchlings that are still alive in a container and then release them. Locals and tourists attend these inventories.  S.C.U.T.E. members educate the attendees about the Do’s and Don’t’s during turtle season.   I donate my time on several Saturdays, passing out postcards to children asking them to be sworn deputies.  They take an oath to fill in the holes they dig or see and to remind Mom and Dad to pick-up after themselves by not leaving firework debris, tents, and chairs on the beach overnight.

The South Carolina Aquarium has a turtle hospital, which aids sick and injured sea turtles through its sea Turtle Rescue Program.  Once the injured turtles are nursed back to health the hospital personnel release the turtles to go home.

So please …

  • fill in holes that are dug in the sand so that the mothers and hatchlings don’t fall in and expend their energy trying to climb out of the hole
  • turn off lights or close the draperies if visiting, vacationing, or living full time on the beach so that the hatchlings aren’t disoriented
  • don’t leave tents, chairs, toys out where the mother or the hatchlings can become tangled
  • pick up litter so that mothers and hatchlings aren’t injured or have any barriers in reaching their home

If you are interested in obtaining more information, please visit the S.C.U.T.E. Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/SCUTE/36320641283 or www.Seaturtle.org.

You may visit my site at www.mariadelaney.com to see other images of these beautiful creatures or ask any questions regarding turtles. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the turtle photos, cards, and giclées go to support the adoption of a rescue turtle(s) at the South Carolina Turtle Hospital.

 

 

 

Make Plans Now to Attend the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival

Posted on by

Some years ago in Georgetown, there was a festival in January celebrating Winyah Bay.  My family attended the first two and had a wonderful time. We missed a few years due to weather but now it’s back and at a much more reasonable time of year!

Now in it’s fifth year on March 2, 3, and 4,  the festival is a celebration of the rich heritage of Winyah Bay and the surrounding area. It honors the traditions rooted here, in the rice fields, uplands and marshes.

This year, the festival will take place at the Bobby Alford Recreation Center located in Georgetown.  The many activities hark back to the time when hunting and fishing were a necessity, rather than pastimes of avid sportsmen and a way to develop conservationists of tomorrow.

The Palmetto Dock Dogs will be on site this year demonstrating how dogs jump and retrieve.   Fishing guides will be on hand to talk about some of the best fishing spots, share tactics and teach techniques for the perfect throw with a cast net.   The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources brings their fishing simulator and shooting range which are huge hits with children.

Children's decoy painting at a previous Winyah Bay Heritage Festival

Additional activities for the young and young at heart include the Birds of Prey, decoy painting and the youth duck calling clinic, a new event last year.  New this year, and suited for all ages, will be a demonstration called “Snakes in Your Own Back Yard.”

Numerous exhibitors bring many items for sale.  If you are looking for the perfect call, decoy or painting, you’re in luck.  Please support the exhibitors as they, too, are an integral part of the festival.

“View of Chicora Wood Plantation”, oil by Joseph Cave

The featured artist for this year’s Winyah Bay Heritage Festival is local artist Joseph Cave. The painting titled “ View of Chicora Wood Plantation” was unveiled in November at a special reception held at the historic Stewart Parker house in Georgetown and will be auctioned at the sponsors party on March 2. It is currently on display at the Georgetown County Museum at 632 Prince Street, Georgetown SC.

All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsors benefit the Georgetown County Historical Society, which in turn supports the Georgetown County Museum, a 501 (c) (3) entity.  In addition to festival activities, many museums and tours in the area are available to further your knowledge of this special place.  Your visit will make you want to live here, and you’ll certainly understand why pluff mud sticks to our boots and to our roots.

Information contained in this article is in part from http://www.winyahbayfestival.org/index.htm.  Please visit the site for much more extensive information!

 

Local Artist, Maria Delaney

Posted on by

Artist Maria Delaney traveled extensively throughout her government career. Since her retirement, she now calls Pawleys Island home. Her love of photography began at an early age and she started as an amateur photographer at 14 . Since then, she has taken her photography to a professional level and is featured in galleries through out the lowcountry of South Carolina.  The beauty of Pawleys Island and the surrounding areas have inspired Maria to capture the variety of wild life, ocean habitats and especially the beloved Loggerhead and Green turtles. Her photographs depict glorious nature scenes, wildlife, and of course, beach residents in their natural setting, the dolphins, turtles, sea urchins, star fish, and crabs. Most of her South Carolina photos have been taken throughout the Low Country in Pawleys Island, Huntington State Beach, Murrells Inlet, Seabrook Island, and Charleston, as well as many of the local rookeries.

Delaney’s passion is sharing her images and once in a life time shots with everyone who loves and visits the Low Country.  Maria says, ” I especially love the early morning hours as nature awakens and all the beach residents and wildlife greet the new day-especially the various species of birds that call the Low Country home or are visiting during their migration. I enjoy capturing the intense colors just before the sun peeks out and brightens the beach and marshes as well as the beautiful sunrises. After enjoying my Low Country days, I prefer nothing more than capturing the amazing sunsets over the ocean, marshes, and waterways.”

Having grown up in a city, Maria now appreciates the time spent outdoors watching and learning about her wildlife subjects and listening to all the sounds of nature. She is active in the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts (SCUTE), a group of volunteers dedicated to Sea Turtle Conservation. A portion of the proceeds from the turtle photos, giclées, and note cards are donated to the South Carolina Turtle Hospital and support the adoption of an injured turtle.  Maria says, “I understand how fragile the environment is and how important it is to protect wildlife for future enjoyment.”

Maria Delaney entered her first exhibition in October 2009 and won 1st Place for photography in the Seacoast Artist Guild Sixth Annual Fall Judged Art Show. Since that time she has won several 1st and 2nd place awards, including 3rd place for Professional Landscapes for the 2011 Magnolia Plantation Photo Contest.

Maria is a member of the Carolina’s Nature Photographers Association, on the Board of Directors for Seacoast Artist Guild, and the Director of the Seacoast Mall Gallery located at the Inlet Square Mall across from Stein Mart, Murrells Inlet.

You can visit her website at http://www.mariadelaney.com/ to view and purchase her extensive collection of photos and note cards.  You can also view and purchase her work at Applewood House of Pancakes in Pawleys Island (yes, this restaurant DOES have an amazing collection of local artwork!), Brookgreen Gardens, Crazy Sister’s Marina in Murrells Inlet, and Winyah Bay Mercantile in Georgetown.

Elowcountry has some exciting contests coming up, featuring Maria’s art.  Look for them on Facebook and Twitter so make sure you follow us on both. https://www.facebook.com/ and  https://twitter.com/#!/elowcountry.

Torsemide

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Posted on by

Though it’s popularity has recently increased, stand up paddle boarding, sometimes called stand up surfing, has been around for a long time.  It has it’s origins in Hawaii and is an ancient form of surfing. In the 60′s, surfers in Hawaii would stand on their long boards to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf.  It was then adopted by surfing instructors, as standing gives a much better view of their classes and the incoming swell.

Stand up paddle boarding offers an excellent workout and has gained a loyal following of celebrities and athletes.  It’s relatively easy to do and accommodates all skill levels and abilities.  It is much easier to learn than surfing.  Most people are comfortable in an hour or less.

The Pawleys Island area offers world class stand up paddle boarding due to our different ecosystems.  The beauty of the salt marshes, creeks, river, and ocean are easily accessed via stand up paddle board.  The higher vantage point gained by standing up makes this a fantastic way to explore our waters.

 

From the calm of our salt marshes and creeks, to the slow moving Waccamaw River, even beginner stand up paddle boarders can enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of our lowcountry waters.

Those who want more excitement, can head for our beaches.  Stand up paddle boarding in the ocean is a bit more challenging but can be learned quickly.

Surf the Earth in Pawleys Island is an excellent local source for all things related to stand up paddle boarding.  (As well as surfing, kayaking, and skateboarding!)  They offer instruction, tours, and carry a full line of stand up paddle boards and accessories.  Jamie or Scott can tell you the best places and times to go and offer excellent advice on getting started.  They can be reached at 843-235-3500 or visit their website at http://surf-the-earth.com/d/ .

One piece of advice that Jamie shared is to leave around dusk, take a cooler and some snacks, paddle against the current and then have a seat and enjoy the ride back in the moon light.

Stand up paddle boarding can be enjoyed in the cooler months, just like surfing or kayaking, if you wear a spring suit or wet suit.  The views afforded by your height, the core workout, and the ease of learning, will make sure that stand up paddle boarding is not just the latest fad.  It’s as close to walking on water as you can get.

 

Treasures of the Sea

Posted on by

This unique, handcrafted collection of jewelry is a work of art.  Each fresh water pearl has been hand selected in the pearl markets of Bangkok and Hong Kong.  Brought back to Pawleys Island by John Henry Whitmire, where he blended them with sterling silver here in his studio to create his Treasures of the Sea collection.

Owner of Whitmire Fine Jewelry, John Henry Whitmire, has been designing and crafting jewelry in the Pawley’s Island and greater Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area since 1972.

John Henry Whitmire gets his design inspiration from nature and the many places he has lived over the years, which has given him the freedom to create without boundaries.  Some local, South Carolina native places of inspriation include: Brookgreen Gardens, where he obtains inspiration from the many sculpture gardens; Huntington Beach where pristine natural beauty abounds; Pawley’s Island, where John Henry Whitmire enjoys long walks on beach, clamming, fishing and creeking in the saltwater creeks; Myrtle Beach, with its wide sandy beaches which continue to draw people there today; and North Myrtle Beach, with the liveliness and energy of the residents. 

Throughout his career, John Henry Whitmire has been fortunate to create custom awards for multiple nationally recognized events.  John Henry Whitmire custom handcrafted two Grammy awards: a Ladder Back Rocking Chair award cast in Sterling Silver for the 1981 Grammy Awards for the Gospel Singer of the Year and a Continental Trailways Bus award cast in Sterling Silver for the 1982 Grammy Awards for the Gospel Singer of the Year.

This season’s Treasures of the Sea Collection is an inspired blend of his many experiences.   John Henry’s popular “flounder”,  is enhanced with diamonds and precious stones for extra sparkle this year.

The handpicked, large baroque, fresh water pears are the perfect complement to his cast starfish and sand dollars.

Treasure of the Sea make wonderful Christmas presents for the ladies who love the beach and long walks along the water’s edge.  You can see John Henry Whitmire’s collections at Whitmire Fine Jewelry in Pawleys Island.

GHOSTS COME OUT AT NIGHT…

Posted on by

 

The Atlantic Ghost Crab!

If you head to the beach at night, there’s a good chance you’ll see ghost crabs foraging and scattering away from you.  This is a fascinating nocturnal animal that survives well in the harsh beach environment by escaping predators and the heat.  They live in burrows, tunneled into the sand on the beach and dunes.  The ghost crab can eat almost anything and can even filter the algae off of particles of sand!

These photos were taken at Huntington Beach State Park but you can find them all along our coast.

Just another reason to go to the beach in the evening!