Butterfly Migration

 

Just two days before Halloween and temperatures in the low 80s, the beach beckoned! And I’m glad we went to witness something I’ve not seen before. 

This beautiful butterfly, a Gulf Fritillary, was one of hundreds flying southbound along the beach tree line at Sullivan’s Island. 

This little lovely is also called Passion Butterfly. 

It was difficult to photograph the fluttering fritillaries. I did my best as they streamed by one, two, three, or more at a time. 

The Gulf Fritillary, it seems, cannot stand cold weather, so south they go. In the U.S. in the winter you may see them in the southern parts of Florida and Texas. Many trek to Central America and beyond. Amazing that such a small fragile critter can cover such distances. 

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. 

Edisto Beach Offers 4th of July Fun

 

You can’t beat the beach for a relaxing and patriotic Independence Day! 

We headed to Edisto Beach where the sun was out and so were American flags as far as the eye could see. 

We did our part by bringing a small flag. 

The rules at this beach allow people to bring alcoholic beverages, unlike the ones closer to Charleston. Many people on this day were drinking beer held in koozies. 

Edisto Beach does prohibit glass containers. Plastic bottles of water are allowed, again unlike other area beaches. 

Flags also adorned some of the pleasure craft that cruised along the beach. 

Labor Day Stingrays? No Way! Yes Way!

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But the hot, humid weather continues in the Charleston area.

Fall or autumn begins Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Daylight Savings Times ends on Sunday, Nov. 1. 

Edisto Beach was a pleasant place to spend part of this national holiday. The skies were overcast and it was a bit windy. The beach wasn’t too crowded. And one of the best things about Edisto is the free parking that is very close to the sand.

We may start going again to Sullivan’s Island now that beach chairs are allowed after months of the “keep it moving” ordinance due to COVID-19.

Edisto has been great this summer though the drive is longer. The atmosphere here is always relaxed and family-oriented.

Heavenly Hilton Head

It was a great getaway for several days this month to head down the coast to Hilton Head Island. It was our 35th wedding anniversary so pandemic or not we planned a special trip. A Caribbean island would have been nice but with so many travel concerns, Hilton Head made sense being in state and not too far away plus it is a world-class resort with beautiful beaches and excellent restaurants.

Monday, July 13- the dawn of a new day. Special one for us as it was our 35th wedding anniversary. The next ones I took Tuesday morning.