Loblolly Bay

When visiting Honey Horn Plantation last week, I noticed a pretty flowering tree. It was labeled Loblolly Bay Gordonia lasianthus. The name stuck with me as I only associated the name ‘Loblolly’ with pine trees. It’s a native tree. One, I decided, that would be great to find in the wild. As I entered my […]

Summer Solstice

We had the opportunity to spend a few hours of the summer solstice under a magnificent Live Oak tree (Quercus virginiana) on the Fiddler Crab Cove Boardwalk at the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Honey Horn Plantation. I couldn’t resist trying to capture the massive trunk and lower limbs. You can just picture children draped on the […]

Close Encounter

I saw my first Swallow-tailed Kite two summers ago. It was way up in the sky and of course, flying away from me. The tail was unmistakable, though. The S-t Kite’s wings are long and slender, making it’s job in nature (snatching large insects from the air and small lizards from trees) effortless. But finally, […]

Beauty-berry

One of the great joys of noticing low country vegetation is Beauty-berry Callicarpa americana L. This time of year it may be overlooked as there is so much ‘green’ everywhere. It loves to grow in partial to full shade in maritime forests, fencerows, woodland borders, pine-mixed hardwood and oak-hickory forests, and sandy or rocky woodlands. […]

Golf & Nature Journaling!

One doesn’t have to stick to nature walks to gather journaling material! Keep in mind, journaling is therapeutic. If you know you’re going to be in a situation that can raise stress levels (for me, it’s my golf game), bring along your journal! I have been trying to play golf for over 25 years. Every […]

A Day on the May

Last Saturday we spent the day with good friends, Don & Kate. They shared their little piece of heaven with us…. The May River. For those who are not real familiar with Bluffton, SC, the May River is the town’s pride and joy. It is a salt water finger extending inland. Most of it’s flow […]