Atlantic Ocean – Wandering Dawgs

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #203 – Local Vistas

June 18, 2022Posted in Georgia, Lighthouse, PhotographyTagged Atlantic Ocean, barrier island, beach, Coastal Georgia, Favorite Place, Georgia Coast, home, Lens-Artists, Local Vistas, salt marsh29 Comments

The Georgia coast is about 110 miles long and includes 15 barrier islands, miles of salt marsh, the city of Savannah, historic towns, and beautiful beaches. Jekyll, St. Simons, Sea and Tybee are the only islands accessible by car. The rest of Georgia’s islands can only be reached by boat. Cumberland Island National Seashore and Sapelo Island can each be reached by ferry.

Tybee Island is Georgia’s northernmost barrier island. Just 20 minutes east of downtown Savannah, Tybee is a popular tourist destination with miles of beach, many fun restaurants, the tallest lighthouse in Georgia, and Fort Pulaski National Monument and Cockspur Island Lighthouse nearby.

South of Savannah, St. Simons and Sea Island are the next islands that can be reached by road. With miles of beach, a village area by the fishing pier, Ft. Frederica National Monument, and golf courses, St. Simons is a popular beach destination.

The southernmost island that can be reached by road is Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island was once the winter home for many of America’s wealthiest families. Visitors to Jekyll can see many of these historic homes, ride bikes on its many bike trails, and enjoy its beautiful driftwood beach. Jekyll Island is owned by the state of Georgia.

Most of Sapelo Island is owned by the state of Georgia and is one of the barrier Islands that can only be reached by boat. A ferry runs from near the town of Darien.

Ancient Live Oaks dripping in Spanish Moss, spring Azaleas, salt marsh, waterways, shrimp boats, fresh seafood, and wild life are all part of what makes coastal Georgia so special.

Many thanks to guest host Anne of Slow Shutter Speed for this week’s Lens Artists photo challenge #203:Local Vistas.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – A Glimpse into my World

February 19, 2021Posted in Birds, Georgia, Nature, Photography, Sunrise, SunsetTagged A Glimpse of My World, Atlantic Ocean, beach, Favorite Place, home, Lens-Artists, salt marsh38 Comments

Welcome to my world along the Georgia coast where I am surrounded by salt water creeks and rivers, salt marsh and a beach on the Atlantic Ocean is only a five minute drive away. Please join me for a glimpse of some of the natural beauty that is in my world.

Birds and Wildlife of Coastal Georgia:

Salt Marsh, Beaches, and Waterways

Sunrises and Sunsets

Flowers and critters in the garden

Wild Georgia Shrimp and Georgia Blue Crabs fresh from the sea.

Many thanks to guest host Sheetal for this week’s Lens Artists photo challenge #135: a Glimpse of my World.

Lens-Artists #126: Subjects that begin with the letter A

December 11, 2020Posted in PhotographyTagged Atlantic Ocean, Lens-Artists, Letter A, Photo Challenge22 Comments

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever
Jacques Cousteau

We’re challenged this week to choose subjects that begin with the letter A. My subject is the Atlantic Ocean.

I was born about 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and was a baby in the early 1950’s when my parents first took me to see it. As an adult I have spent many happy days on Atlantic beaches, riding in boats on the Atlantic, swimming or scuba diving in the Atlantic, or just watching and listening to the ocean waves.

Most of my views of the Atlantic Ocean are from the United States, mostly from Georgia and Florida. I’ve been fortunate to also see it from Ireland. No matter where I see it, being near the Atlantic Ocean always soothes my soul.

East Quaddy Light, Maine beside the Atlantic Ocean

Okracoke Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Surfer on overcast morning on Tybee Island, Georgia

Exploring a deserted sandbar in the Atlantic Ocean in Georgia

Nanny Goat Beach on Sapelo Island. Georgia

American Shoals Lighthouse in the turquoise waters of the Atlantic in the Florida Keys

Fish from our scuba diving days in the Florida Keys

Last year we drove many miles along the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland. There were jaw dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean all along the narrow winding roads.

Many thanks to Patty for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challeng e #126: Subjects that begin with the Letter A

Driftwood Beach Sunrise, a Historic Island, and a Capsized Cargo Ship

July 28, 2020July 4, 2021Posted in Birds, Celebration, Georgia, SunriseTagged Atlantic Ocean, beach, Coastal Georgia, Driftwood Beach, Golden Ray, Jekyll Island, Jekyll Island Club Resort, Sydney Lanier Bridge22 Comments

The morning after our anniversary celebration, Henry slept in while I got up early to watch the sunrise at Driftwood Beach.

Sunrise at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA

A Brief History of Jekyll Island and the Jekyll Island Club:

1886 – The island was purchased for $125,000 by wealthy American industrialists to create a hunting retreat, the Jekyll Island Club.
1888 – The Jekyll Island Club opened.
1896 – The San Soucie (meaning ‘Without Care’) was built with six units. It is one of the earliest condominium buildings in the United States. William Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan were two of the owners.
1910 – A plan was made for the Federal Reserve Banking System during a secret meeting of the Jekyll Island Club.
1915 – The first transcontinental call was made by one of the club members.
1947 – The State of Georgia purchased Jekyll Island for $675,000 and the island became a state park.
1972 – The Jekyll Island Club was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1985 – 1986 – The Jekyll Island Club was completely restored and opened in 1986 as the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
Today, Jekyll Island is a popular beach destination on Georgia’s coast with several hotels, a campground, easy access to miles of beach, and many activities to enjoy.

Here are a few images from around today’s Jekyll Island Club Resort. Click on an image for a closer look.

We took some scenic drives around the 7 1/2 mile long and 1 1/2 mile wide island. At the fishing pier on the north end of the island we had a great view of the Sydney Lanier Bridge and the Golden Ray cargo ship.

We came across some birds as we wandered around the island.

Tri-colored heron on Jekyll Island near Driftwood Beach

On September 8, 2019 the Korean cargo ship the Golden Ray left the port of Brunswick loaded with cars shortly before it ran aground in the St. Simons sound. The ship caught fire and thankfully, all of the 24 crew members were rescued. Since then, a special response team has been working to remove the ship. Recently, the team has put the efforts on hold because of COVID-19 and hurricane season. For more information go to St. Simons Sound Response.

My favorite place on Earth

March 27, 2018April 8, 2018Posted in Birds, Georgia, Nature, Sunrise, SunsetTagged Atlantic Ocean, barrier island, beach, Favorite Place, home, salt marsh, Wordpress Photo Challenge39 Comments

I’ve had many people ask about my favorite place and the answer is always the same.

There is no place else on earth I love more than my little peace of paradise here in coastal Georgia. This is where our children grew up and where Henry and I are growing old together. I have the best friends and neighbors anyone could ask for and there is beauty every where I look.

20170210Moon-Rise-at-North-Beach-(58) — Full moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean

Sunset in Coastal Georgia — Sunset over the Salt Marsh

Want to go to an uninhabited barrier island? A boat or kayak will get you there.

20170514Boat-Ride-(9) — Boat ride on one of the many creeks

We had the island all to ourselves — We often are the only people on one of the uninhabited barrier islands

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are a common sight in the waters.

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin near Tybee Island, Georgia

Let’s not forget the birds.

Roseate Spoonbill fishing in Georgia tidal creek

20160125Great-Egret-Plumage — Great Egret

20151022Juvenile-Ibis-(1) — Juvenile Ibis

20110925Birds-(104) — Wood Stork and Egret

Whether you cook it at home or eat out at one of the many great restaurants nearby, there’s nothing better than eating fresh caught seafood.

Fresh Georgia Blue Crabs Caught, Cooked, Cleaned and eaten on Halloween, 2015 — Fresh Georgia Blue Crabs straight from the creek to the pot.

I love to travel and always enjoy our wanderings. Every trip ends the same way. I know I am almost home when I start smelling the salt marsh and seeing the creeks and marsh as we drive the last few miles.

No matter where you may roam, the best part is coming home – anonymous