Folly Beach “Lifer” Bird!

 I wasn’t expecting to add a “lifer” bird during Sunday’s Folly Beach outing. But that’s a neat part of the birding hobby- expect the unexpected! 

Meet the Sandwich Tern. What’s with the sandwich you ask? This shore bird was “discovered” and documented in Sandwich, England in 1787 by ornithologist John Latham. 

The species has a distinctive yellow tip on its bill. That’s the mustard on the sandwich (I read somewhere). 

This tern type is a lifer bird for me, an unexpected bonus to our first visit to Folly Beach since August 2021. 

The Folly Beach Fishing Pier re-do is featured in my two years ago post. It has been completed but we were not close enough to see it in this August's visit. 

I saw this mixed group of shorebirds as we walked toward the inlet so we could see the venerable Morris Island Lighthouse. 

I’m a longtime member of the “Save the Light” organization that has helped repair and preserve the tall brick light that dates to 1876. 

This is a Ring-billed Gull that may have been also feeling the hot, humid temperatures. 

Long-legged Willets are common sights on our area beaches. 

To follow are other Folly Beach scenes.

Labor Day Sunday- The Beach (Where Else!)

 

Between playing tennis in the rain for a short time Saturday and today (Labor Day) getting soaked by rain while mowing the lawn, Sunday at Sullivan’s Island had perfect (dry!) weather. 

Parking was more difficult than usual but it was worth it to spend three or so hours soaking in the sun, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoying the idyllic scenery. 

And of course, I took a bunch of photographs. Here’s what was going on at Sullivan’s Island in the Station 17 area. 

Beach Season Has Begun!

 When May it be a good time to go to beach? It is the month of May and the time and weather have been right. Here is a collection of my photography from three recent visits to Sullivan’s Island. This included a Mother’s Day brunch at The Longboard restaurant, which was very good. 

In the background (above) is the iconic Sullivan's Island Lighthouse. 

Beach Butterflies!

 It was our first time back to Sullivan’s Island last weekend in several months since the ban on chairs, umbrellas and basically doing at the beach what we and others enjoy- sitting down and hanging out. 

My beach posts this summer have been from Edisto Beach, which did not have such restrictions. Since hearing that Sullivan’s had finally chilled we decided to make a visit. This after we enjoyed an excellent lunch at Obstinate Daughter, a really good restaurant on the island. And we wanted to check if our “secret” free parking spot was still available and still free. It was and is, so that was good too. 

Back to the Beach with Pandemic Precautions

A walk on the beach seemed like a good idea Sunday afternoon so that’s what we did yesterday. We weren’t sure what to expect weather-wise (overcast and possibly rain) or access-wise (knowing that restrictions are in effect).

The shrimp trawler Captain BTS coming into Charleston Harbor. That's St. Philip's Church on the left.