Day 49 - November 16, 2024

The first thing this morning was another beautiful sunrise, then we watched the shrimp boats. Today they were being followed by many dolphins. Too far out for decent photos but there were dozens of them. After checking out we stopped at one of the many, many miniature golf places for a shot. They are over the top with mini golf here.

Then, our journey from Myrtle beach to Hilton Head Island included a stop in downtown Charleston, SC. So much history. 200 years of slavery. The first shots of the Civil War were fired here. The old downtown consists of blocks of narrow streets lined with very olds homes. Some dating back to the late 1600s, and the 1700s. They are all either restored (as close as possible to the original exterior architecture), or being restored. Simply amazing to walk around here. One southern gentleman has a sign that his garden is open to visit, so we did.

Finally, a couple shots of our home for the next week.

Day 50 - November 17, 2024

Cameras attract cameras and in mid January of 2019 when Joy and I were here on Hilton Head Island I found a beach to watch a moonrise. Here I met another photographer, and we spent about an hour talking shop. William Bosley (a very talented photographer) and I have kept in touch on Facebook (who say social media serves no purpose?), and today he graciously invited me to meet him on the same beach for sunrise this morning. Not only did we spend another wonderful few hours, but Bill also gave me hints on places to go to shoot, restaurants and other tips. Thank you, Bill!

After the very successful morning shoot with a gorgeous sunrise and plenty of birds, I got a couple shots on the way to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Here I walked almost 10 miles (the map shows six, but that is without the “side trips”) and shot many more birds, animals, and scenery. All in all, a great day.

Day 51 - November 18, 2024

Old, Savannah Georgia is a beautiful city, founded in 1733. It was designed by the founder (James Oglethorpe) and laid out in a grid pattern (sort of) with 22 (originally 24) “squares” where four roads come together but end at a “Square”. The “Square” is a park with massive Live Oak trees covered in “Spanish Moss”, fountains and statues. So, every few blocks there is another “Square”. Spanish Moss, by the way, is neither Spanish, nor moss. It is a plant that grows on the trees and is home to “Chiggers”. Don’t touch it or you become lunch for these little buggers! There is a beautiful cathedral called The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, across from one of the squares.

I try to learn something every day. Today I learned that it is rather difficult to take decent photos from a moving bus, trying to avoid power poles, people and traffic and still get a decent shot while moving. So, if the shots aren’t up to standards, that’s my excuse. But hopefully you will be able to get a sense of the beauty, the architecture and history of this wonderful place. There is far too much history to go into here, but if you are interested, Google knows everything!

Day 52 - November 19, 2024

A quiet day. We just drove around some of Hilton Head Island (gorgeous!), a gator, a Cormorant, a tree tunnel and a stop at Fish haul Beach where we saw pelicans fishing, a Bald Eagle, a Snowy egret and a Little Blue Heron.

Next up was a trip to Harbour Town. Beautiful! A few boats here that are worth a few bucks. A few more than I have for sure! But Christmas is coming if you are feeling generous.

Day 53 - November 20, 2024

After a shot on a nearby beach and one in our district, we set off to make stops at four destinations. However, we got sidetracked at the first one, the Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal and the neighbouring city, Beaufort. At the wetlands we saw a few birds and several alligators. Also, an Anhinga, some Common Gallinules, a Pied Billed Grebe, several turtles, etc.

Beaufort is wonderful. Old homes, narrow street and charm. And several beautiful marinas. Unfortunately, by the time we got to our second and third stops, the old Sheldon Church Ruins and the Tomotley Plantation driveway, the day was shot. It was cloudy and dull. We may go back. We’ll see how the time works. The Old Sheldon Church Ruins are both interesting and beautiful. Built between 1747 and 1755, it was burnt by the British in the Revolutionary War, rebuilt in 1826, then burnt again in the Civil War. The Tomotley Plantation is private, but the Live Oak covered driveway is stunning. We never made it to the Donnelly Wildlife Preserve.

Day 54 - November 21, 2024

This morning, I went for a walk in Sea Pines Forest Preserve. I managed to find a pair of shy Northern Cardinals. They don’t like posing for me! An Anhinga diving for fish, a couple nice scenes and then something new. A Wood Stork. That’s now new but the bath, then drying of the wings is. These birds look positively pre-historic.

Next, off to the Audubon Newhall Preserve for a small ‘gator and Soft-Shelled Turtle. Then we met with Bill (https://www.facebook.com/william.l.bosley), the photographer that I met here in 2019. We stopped at a couple places, shot a Little Blue heron, some Hooded Mergansers and then off to the Harbour Town Yacht Club for a drink and sunset. Amazing. Thank you, Bill for all your hospitality and tips on where to go here in this gorgeous part of the world.

Day 55 - November 22, 2024

Our last day here at Hilton Head. Simply gorgeous! I will miss this place. Today we headed off to the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, only to find it closed. Good thing. From there we found the Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge and a very beautiful old plantation house. We were told it was the only one of its kind in the area to survive the Civil War. Surrounded by Live Oaks, covered in Spanish Moss, it is right out of a movie set. A great Blue Heron was strutting for us there too.

Then we went back to the old Sheldon Church Ruins and the Tomotley Plantation driveway. We were here earlier in the week on a dull day so I thought I would get a few shots on the nice day. It does make a difference. Then we found the “Chapel of Ease” ruins. This was a church that was built in 1740 and was destroyed in a forest fire, 146 years later in 1886. 138 years after that we are here taking pictures of the ruins. Cool.

Last for the day was Fort Fremont. This was built in 1898 as coastal protection during the Spanish/American war. That’s a wrap for South Carolina. We will now be on the road for the next three days before landing in Memphis, TN for a couple.