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:
Great EgretAtlantic Bottlenose Dolphin near Tybee Island, GeorgiaWood Stork and EgretWood Stork with a face only a mother could loveGreat blue heron in the salt marsh beside the trailRoseate Spoonbill in Georgia Tidal CreekOsprey looks over the salt marshIbisHawk in coastal GeorgiaBald Eagle in coastal GeorgiaMale Painted BuntingSnowy Egret in the neighborhoodDiamondback TerrapinJuvenile Horned Owl
Salt Marsh, Beaches, and Waterways
Sunrises and Sunsets
Sun rise over the Atlantic OceanSunset over the Georgia Salt MarshCoastal Georgia Sunset
Flowers and critters in the garden
Mexican SunflowerSummer SunflowerMonarch ButterflyPair of Monarch Caterpillars on MilkweedGulf FritillaryZebra Longwing on Mexican SunflowerSpring AzaleasSpring Dogwood BloomZinniaCamellias blooming in February
Wild Georgia Shrimp and Georgia Blue Crabs fresh from the sea.
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 OceanOkracoke Island, Outer Banks, North CarolinaSurfer on overcast morning on Tybee Island, GeorgiaExploring a deserted sandbar in the Atlantic Ocean in GeorgiaNanny Goat Beach on Sapelo Island. GeorgiaDriftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GeorgiaAmerican Shoals Lighthouse in the turquoise waters of the Atlantic in the Florida KeysFish 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.
Beach on the Slea Head Drive, IrelandCliffs on the Slea Head Drive, IrelandCliffs of Moher, west coast of Ireland
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, GASunrise 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.
Sydney Lanier Bridge
We came across some birds as we wandered around the island.
Osprey on nest, Jekyll Island, GeorgiaTri-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.
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.
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean
Full moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean
Sunset over the Salt Marsh
Salt Marsh of Coastal Georgia
Want to go to an uninhabited barrier island? A boat or kayak will get you there.
Boat ride on one of the many creeks
Uninhabited Georgia Barrier Island
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
Osprey
Great Egret
Juvenile Ibis
Wood Stork and Egret
Male Painted Bunting
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 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
Wandering Dawgs 