Summer Beach Scenes

‘Tis the season- beach season that is! 

This post is dedicated to our recent visits to Sullivan’s Island. On Sunday, deep in the dog days of summer, the beach here was surprisingly sparse. But it was a good surprise, especially when we found a primo parking spot near the Station 17 path to the sand. 

The photo below I took as we were leaving the beach. 

Happy place…happy face! 

Around 2:30 we began to hear thunder in the distance. 

Soon enough on I-26 we drove into a heavy rain storm. 

To follow are photos from a Sullivan’s Island visit earlier in July. This sign warning of “deadly currents” has been on the beach for years warning people not go in these waters close to the harbor inlet. We usually are on the beach well north of this potentially dangerous area. 

A highlight on this day was seeing this U.S. Coast Guard ship coming into the harbor, likely headed to its station on the Cooper River at the old Charleston Naval Shipyard. 

The number 754 on the vessel’s bow indicates that this is the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James. The James is 418 feet in length, that’s just about one and a half football fields long. It can carry up to 150 personnel depending on the mission, according to online sources.

Launched in 2014 the James is the Coast Guard’s fifth National Security Cutter, the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter in service today. 

The cutter becomes a mirage somewhat from this great distance. 

I like the beach at Sullivan’s because you can often see boats of all shapes and sizes going in and out of the Charleston Harbor. 

Heading out here is a tugboat called Wyatt Moran. This tug looks kind of new because it is only three years old. It was built in Maine for the Moran Towing Corp. of North Charleston. The company, like the Coast Guard station just mentioned, is located on the old Naval Shipyard. 

Fort Sumter stays busy year round. 

Shimbubi Shade “Beach Canopies” are becoming more and more popular. Dick’s Sporting Goods sells them for $270. I can see us getting one some day. 

With the beach not too crowded I worked on my bird photography trying to get good images of Brown Pelicans as they dive into the water pursuing fish and crabs. Just getting a sharp shot in focus is always a challenge. 

The water temperature was perfect by the way for swimming. We will be back soon to the beach but maybe one or two of the other ones n the area.