Blog

By Capt. Olivia I’m obsessed with evolution. The ways in which every living thing is linked, the similarities we share, and the fascinating differences that can make some of our distant relatives seem downright alien. One of the evolutionary stories that I find the most interesting is the one that leads to our local superstar…

By Capt. Olivia The Lowcountry of South Carolina is known for its beautiful scenery, but it’s also one of the most accessible fossil-hunting regions on the East Coast. What makes it such a “fossil gold mine” comes down to a rare combination of geology, geography, and human activity. This landscape is built on layers of…

By Capt. Weatherly Shark teeth are arguably one of the most sought after treasures on the beach.  Growing up my Grandmama had a coke bottle on the living room shelf that was filled to the top and overflowing.  She added a few on even the quickest beach walk. As a child, it felt like magic. …

By Capt. Olivia Biological productivity looks at how much biomass is being produced in a given area. Ecosystems with high bio-productivity appear as lush, thriving environments jam-packed with plants and animals. There are multiple ways to measure bio-productivity, which alter rankings slightly, but tropical rainforests, estuaries (including salt marshes), and swamps consistently rank among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.  Tropical Rainforests Tropical rainforests (e.g. the Amazon) thrive due to consistent, year-round sunlight, heat, and rainfall. These conditions allow life to thrive, and decomposition to happen fast, so that nutrients are rapidly recycled within the system. Because of this they are home to the highest terrestrial biodiversity on the planet, and contribute a massive amount of carbon sequestration, which helps mitigate global climate change.   Estuaries Estuaries are semi-enclosed areas where salt water from the ocean and fresh water from…

By Capt. Weatherly What is an estuary?  This is one of my favorite questions to hear on the boat, and what started me down the path of ecotourism in the Charleston area.  At its most basic, an estuary is an area where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, resulting in fresh/salt water mixing.  There are four…

Blue Crabs Few animals feel more closely tied to Lowcountry waters than the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The name literally means “beautiful savory swimmer,” which feels like a pretty accurate description. Equipped with 3 walking legs, a claw, and a rear swimmerette on each side, these crabs glide sideways through the water. Blue crabs are…

By Capt. Weatherly   This month we will be highlighting fisheries and the role that scientific research plays in creating sustainable fisheries and seafood. A few years ago we published a picture of a seahorse that was caught in a scientific research trawl then released.  The picture received a few comments about how irresponsible it…

By Capt. Olivia It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and there is romance to be found in the estuary. Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes mating season. Not all species reproduce in the spring, but many of them benefit from aligning with the influx of sunshine, warmth, food, and nutrients that is about…

The Humble Oyster: Unsung Hero of the Estuary By Capt. Weatherly This month we’re diving into one of the unsung heroes of the estuary — the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Critical habitat? Check Erosion control? Check Filtration system? Top notch. Hungry? Bring them on. Keystone of the Marsh Oysters are a keystone species,…

Outer Banks, North South Carolina By Capt. Olivia Most people associate the Outer Banks with North Carolina, but if you’re a fan of the Netflix show Outer Banks, you just may think of South Carolina first. From Folly Beach to Mount Pleasant and beyond, the Lowcountry has been the real-life stand-in for the fictional Kildare…

Fall is hands down the best time to be in the Lowcountry.   The water is still warm and it’s hot enough to enjoy a beach day without the full summer sauna effect. As an ecotour company, we work long hot hours in the summer and it’s bittersweet the first morning there’s a chill in the air and the first sunset cruise we put on a jacket. (*We’re total wimps – that’s 75 degrees.  We’re used to…

By Capt. Weatherly   Every August, the salt marsh announces the coming of Fall. I have a little flash of excitement combined with sadness when I see the first one: a blade of Spartina grass soaring proudly above the rest. It’s my signal that the long, lazy days of summer are slipping away. Our salt…