salt marsh – Wandering Dawgs

McQueen’s – Tybee Island Trail

March 25, 2019Posted in Georgia, Nature, WildlifeTagged explore Georgia, hiking, McQueen-Tybee Island Trail, Rails to Trails, salt marsh, Savannah, spartina grass10 Comments

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy nonprofit organization has created a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. The McQueen’s – Tybee Island Trail near Savannah, Georgia is one of the those trails. The gravel trail is a popular place for walking, biking and jogging.

The trail suffered extensive damage in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew came through the area in October. Less that a year later, Hurricane Irma caused more damage. The work to repair the damage is still not complete and parts of trail are closed.

As of now, the only access to the trail is a parking area at the trailhead near the entrance to Fort Pulaski National Monument. Starting at the trailhead, we walked until we came to a damaged bridge that still can be crossed safely. In all we went about about a mile and a half round trip.

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(7) — The bridge to Fort Pulaski National Monument as seen from McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(8) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(12) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(18) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(4) — This bridge was damaged during one of the storms that went through the area

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(36) — A great place to sit and enjoy the view

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(37) — Driftwood in the salt marsh beside the trail

We spied some wildlife along the trail.

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(16) — This little diamond back terrapin was crossing the trail in front of us

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(25) — Great blue heron in the salt marsh beside the trail

It was a gorgeous March day to get out and explore close to home.

Breakfast In the Salt Marsh

January 20, 2019January 21, 2019Posted in Birds, Georgia, Nature, Photography, WildlifeTagged Coastal Georgia, Georgia Salt Marsh, Great Egret, salt marsh, White Ibis, winter19 Comments

When the tide is just right and the minnows in the water are plentiful, wading birds gather in the salt marsh in search of food. White Ibis, Egrets, Herons, and Wood Storks can often be seen feeding side by side in the marsh.

This morning my husband got my attention to show me a long line of white birds lined up on the railing of our neighbor’s dock. By the time I got my camera ready many of the birds had flown down into the marsh but there were still a few white ibis and great egrets surveying the area before diving in to eat.

20190120--morning-birds-(1) — White Ibis searching for breakfast in the salt marsh

20190120--morning-birds-(13) — Great Egret

20190120--morning-birds-(25) — White Ibis

20190120--morning-birds-(11) — Great Egret

It’s always entertaining to watch the white ibis as they feed. Usually there is a large group of them poking their long beaks under the water to capture fish. Suddenly, all of them will start wading through the water in the same direction in search of more food. They don’t stay long in any one place. Eventually, they tire of the area and fly off in search of better fishing grounds.

20190120--morning-birds-(77) — Ibis dining in the salt marsh

20190120--morning-birds-(17) — White Ibis dining in the salt marsh

I never know when I’m going to stumble across flocks of birds in the marsh but it’s always a treat when I see them. I was lucky to see them this morning and was glad to have my camera nearby.

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

Snow Day in Coastal Georgia

January 4, 2018Posted in Georgia, NatureTagged Coastal Georgia, photo essay, salt marsh, snow, winter storm28 Comments

Snow and ice storms are rare in coastal Georgia. The last time we had snow that stuck was a few days before Christmas in 1989.

The freezing rain and snow that came through on January 3, 2018 caused road and bridge closures. Schools were out and government offices were closed. Coastal Georgia was transformed into a winter wonderland.

Marsh Grass

Snow on the deck

Snow covered palm fronds

Icy Dogwood Tree

Icy Muhly Grass

Icicles in January

Snow and ice in January

Marsh Grass

Ice covered salt marsh

Palm Fronds

Even the boat cover was covered with icicles

Snow covered walkway over the marsh

Adventures with Grandkids

June 2, 2016June 4, 2016Posted in Georgia, PhotographyTagged Adventure, barrier island, Coastal Georgia, DiscoverWP, Family, Memorial Day, salt marsh, Weekly Photo Challenge15 Comments

One of the greatest joys as a grandparent is seeing our grand children’s excitement as they experience new adventures.

Our daughter is visiting us this week with her two children. At 12 and 10, they are our two oldest grandchildren. They live 400 miles away, surrounded by the Appalachian mountains, so coming to visit Nana and Papa near the beach is always an adventure for them.

On Memorial Day, we beached our boat on a deserted barrier island after a boat ride through rivers and narrow winding creeks surrounded by salt marsh. The adventure brought back fond memories for our daughter and made new memories for the grandkids. It is a ride we took on many weekends when our daughter was growing up and we are so happy we could share the experience with her children.

This is my contribution to the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure