This week, Patti has challenged us to explore the world of monochrome using black and white, sepia, or different shades of the same color.
For this challenge I went through my archives and chose photos of scenes in Savannah, Georgia. Converting the photos to black and white added a bit of mystery to them. The photo above is of stone steps leading from Bay Street to River Street along the Savannah River.
The Forsyth Park Fountain is one of Savannah’s most well know sights.
Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah, Georgia
Bonaventure Cemetery is always an interesting place to visit. Seeing it in black and white adds a little more drama.
Military graves at Bonaventure CemeteryBonaventure CemeteryBonaventure Cemetery
Perhaps one of the most famous homes in Savannah is the Mercer House made famous by the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good of Evil.”
October is one of my favorite months in coastal Georgia. The weather is finally cooling off, the sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous, and you never know what birds will show up to feed in the marsh.
I’ve been seeing gorgeous morning skies at sunrise.
Coastal Georgia Sunrise
The cooler temperatures are perfect for taking a morning walk.
Coastal Georgia Salt Marsh
I need to clean out the dying plants from my butterfly garden but I decided to wait before pulling them up. As long as there are butterflies stopping by for some nourishment the plants will stay.
Gulf Fritillary on Mexican Sunflower
Large flocks of White Ibis have been feeding in the salt marsh around our neighborhood.
We’re not traveling as much in our fifth wheel anymore so I thought it would be fun to relive some of our most memorable days from previous RV trips.
We spent this day two years ago, October 17, 2017, on scenic mountain roads visiting waterfalls in Nantahalla National Forest in North Carolina, and Sylvan Falls in Georgia.
Dry Falls near Highlands, NC in the Nantahala National ForestFall Colors in the Nantahala National Forest, North CarolinaBehind Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands, NCSmall waterfall beside Hwy 64 between Highlands and Franklin, NCSylvan Falls in Mountain City, GA
This week, Patti has challenged us to bring attention to the subject in our photo by filling the frame with that subject. I chose a selection of photos from this year’s butterfly garden.
Summer Sunflower
Zinnia in the butterfly garden
Mexican sunflower in the butterfly garden
Bee in the Butterfly GardenGulf Fritillary on Zinnia
Although several varieties of butterflies visited the garden this summer, the Monarchs have been few and far between until today. Early this morning, there were about eight different Monarchs feasting on the flowers.
Monarch ButterflyMonarch on milkweed in early OctoberMonarch on Mexican Sunflower in early October
Of the eight large barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, only four can be accessed by a bridge. Sapelo Island is one of the islands can only be reached by water and visiting it has been on my bucket list for years.
Sapelo is the fourth largest Georgia barrier island. Most of the island is owned by the state of Georgia. The state owned portion of Sapelo is home to the RJ Reynolds Wildlife Management area on the north end of the island, the University of Georgia’s Marine Institute, and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The remaining 434 acres is the privately owned community of Hog Hammock. Many of the 70 residents there are descendants of former African-American slaves. Today, some property owners live elsewhere and a few of the houses are managed as vacation rentals.
We spent Friday night in Darien so we wouldn’t have far to go for our early Saturday morning Saturday ferry. We enjoyed a delicious fried shrimp and crab cake dinner Friday night at Skippers Fish Camp on the Darien waterfront. During our after dinner walk beside the water we spied 3 baby alligators on the banks of the river and a manatee behind a shrimp boat.
Darien Waterfront
On Saturday morning, it didn’t take long to get to Sapelo Visitors Center from Darien. After purchasing our tickets for the Sapelo Ferry we learned a little about the history of the island from the interpretive displays and enjoyed the views from the deck.
View from the Visitor’s Center on the mainland with Sapelo Island in the distance.
The ferry departed at 9:00, right on schedule. Pelicans were busy diving for fish as we made our way to the island.
Ferry Boat on the mainland waiting to take passengers to Sapelo IslandGeorgia salt marsh viewed from the ferry to SapeloSapelo Lighthouse as seen from the ferry
Our guide Yvonne Grovner took us around the island in a small air conditioned van. Yvonne grew up on Sapelo in the Hog Hammock community and told us many interesting facts about the island. We went from paved roads to narrow dirt trails as we traveled around the island.
Behavior Cemetery on Sapelo IslandTabby ruins on Sapelo Island, GeorgiaReynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island, Georgia
We climbed the 77 steps to the top of the Sapelo Lighthouse.
Sapelo Lighthouse, Georgia
Our last stop before returning to the mainland was Nanny Goat Beach. It was a Saturday and there were a few people enjoying the white sandy beach. Our guide told us sometimes on weekdays there is no one else there.
Nanny Goat Beach, Sapelo Island, Georgia
If you are planning a visit to Sapelo Island, you must make reservations for the ferry in advance. Reservations are also needed to take the tour. If you would rather explore on your own, golf carts and bicycles are available for rent. A few homes are available for rent and group camping is available. Reynolds Mansion can also be rented by groups.
