I started off on the well worn path, one I have walked many times. It curves through a mature forest of oaks: live, laurel, and water; loblolly pines, mockernut hickory, southern magnolia, sweet gum, black gum (sour gum or black tupelo),and red mulberry. Sprinkled in these woods are dogwood, American holly, black cherry, and red […]
Hiking to the mailbox Read More »
A new day. A new me? Not new but changed. A stroke survivor. . I went into Roper hospital for heart surgery on March 4, and anticipated to be in the hospital for 3-5 days afterward, but I suffered a stroke and stayed in the ICU until March 10 when I was transferred to the
When venturing into nature, one never knows what is in store. The possibility of encountering wildlife or some natural event promoting awe is a motivator. Awe engenders a range of feeling, and allows one to be fully present. Wild awe, jaw-dropping awe, whoa-exclaiming awe, transcendent awe. A particular place may bring the expectation for awe,
It was coming – another winter storm traveling east across the country bringing frigid temperatures, snow, ice, and sleet to the Carolinas. The meteorological media now names these storms, this one Cora. The Upstate and Midlands received snow, the inland Lowcountry a brief mix, and the coast merely a cold rain. But our neighborhood received
Winter storm; white squadron Read More »
My recent forays into Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge have been high tide ventures to observe the American Oystercatcher roosts on shell rakes along the Intracoastal Waterway. On this Monday, I chose an opposite course, exploring the low tide waterways to view foraging oystercatchers. I planned to enter a very shallow area a little to
Becoming a follower Read More »
As the sun set, and we waited for the evening’s celestial wonders to take place – a full moon rise and a comet’s appearance – a whistling came from the other side of the Intracoastal Waterway. The low-lying mud and shell bank was covered with American Oystercatchers, perhaps a hundred and fifty. After the moonrise,
Following oystercatchers Read More »
I was deep into a cabinet building project, and had completed an important stage of the process on the previous and long workday. After an early morning eye care visit in town, I headed home to take care of other neglected tasks. At some point close to home I noticed the fabulous weather and contemplated
Paddling to Bulls Bay Read More »
As I arrived at Gadsenville Landing just after sunrise, a flock of iris swooped in and landed in the marsh. This kayak venture was the inverse of my last trip, where I paddled into a side creek off a main channel. That waterway went nowhere, and as I paddled against the outgoing tide the creek
Three ibises precariously landed on the rope railing of the dock as I arrived at the landing. They were facing into the wind already blowing, quite unlike my last sail in early May where I half sailed, half drifted to the Northeast Point of Bull Island. I was on a mission that May day; on
I recalled the steep unpaved mountain road rising toward my destination as both exciting and scary. Hairpin, blind turns; steep drop-offs with no guard rails; steady climbing to the top. With no mishaps or close calls, I arrived at the Cataloochee Divide, and the entrance road into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That road had
Less traveled paths Read More »
I motored over to Bull Island with friends Ben Saunders and Rod Bungey – Ben for wildlife photography, Rod for all that the island has to offer, and me to view the second and larger of the two December breaches of the Jacks Creek impoundment. With the island’s new configuration, we walked the Sheepshead Ridge
I was listening to bird sounds at the landing before launching Kingfisher. I had named the Sunfish this bird for some similar characteristics – active, small, not speedy, and a distinctive look while in flight. I recalled last October finding a quiet place, a secret spot, along the Middle Prong in Walker Valley in the
