Sharks teeth: from skeptic to collector
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. …
What is an Estuary?
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…
About the Blue Crab
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…
Love in the Estuary
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…
Fall in the Salt Marsh
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…
Happy (& Safe!) Storm Watching
Summer storms showcase the beauty and power of nature By Capt. Weatherly Picture yourself relaxing on the beach on a picture-perfect summer day. Blue skies, wispy clouds, gentle waves, birds calling, and children running along the sand. An unexpected rumble rolls past. You’ve just finished a snack, so it can’t be your stomach. You turn…
You Should Be a Birder!
Part 1 in our Birding Series By Olivia Hirst-Wilson It seems to me like more people are starting to appreciate birds. When I first started birding about 10 years ago, there weren’t many people whose eyes didn’t completely glaze over when I talked about birds…