Merry Christmas 2014

Well, we are now in Charleston SC. and as normal it rained all the way here and looks like it will rain for the first week we are here.  So until we have a chance to explore, Merry Christmas.

This is one of the places we will be working.

The flag at Moultrie, 48 stars.

Fort Sumter

The light house in the bay.

Old School Dinner

Still checking out the local area around the refuge.  Like the Smallest church in America, it seats 12.  Jekyll Island (big disappointment), Sapalo Island and the Old School Dinner.

Took this late in the day, 1000's of Swallows. 

The Beach at Jekyll Island

Female Hooded Merganser on Teal Pond.

This is it, the Old School Dinner

Yes the parking lot is carpeted.

This put a whole new meaning to  flower pot,  along the drive to the Dinner

Fort McAllister

Got to see another earthen fort, located south of Savannah on the banks of the Ogeechee River, this park showcases the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. The earthworks were attacked seven times by Union ironclads but did not fall until 1864 -- ending Gen. William T. Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” 

Pilings in the ground that surrounded the fort.

There was multiple layers inside the fort.

Just one of several cannons at the fort.

Looking over the river from the top of the fort.

The walk going to the fort.

Enlisted housing, maybe 4 to 6 men would share this small building.

Blacksmith shop.

Hot shot oven.

McAllister's home and Officer housing.

Ammo bunker.

The ammo was very well protected.

Food!!

This is the same rifle I fired at Fort Pulaski.

Teresa making her way through the bunkers.

Bellows

I don't think the picnic tables where there during the War.

Fort Frederica and Harris Neck NWR

Went to Fort Frederica on St. Simmons Island this week, neat place, with lots of history.  Here are some pictures we took there and some mushrooms here at Harris Neck ( I can not name some of the mushrooms, so if you know them, please comment).

The guns that guarded the river

All that left of Fort Frederica

Burial ground.

Remains of a home in the town, there is a map showing the layout of the town and several of the old building sites have been unearthed and identified due to artifacts found.

All that's left of the Barracks.

This has to be the largest grapevine we have ever seen, its over 3 feet around.

Gators in Teal Pond

This is those little guys mom.

Fringed earthstar

Bitter webcap

Got some great colors on this web.

Violet-branched corral

emetic russula

Gilled Bolete

milkie

Sept, 2014 in Southern Coastal Georgia

Seeing and learning a lot being in a wildlife refuge on the coast of southern Georgia.  We are traveling around the local area to see what we can.  Life is good, we are healthy and this volunteer gig is the greatest.  We start next week giving programs that we wrote for the Refuge.  The Refuge Manager took us to Blackbeard Island this week its about 5000 acres of which half is a Wilderness area and part of the barrier islands that line the coast.  Its about a 17 mile boat ride to get to the island.

Gulf Flitterlary

Golden Orb

If you can't afford real curtains, paint them on.

Eagles near Blackbeard Island

Last of the Wood Storks on Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

Love seeing the eagles.

Pollinators are the greatest, this is a Long-tailed Skipper.

We have many species of birds around our feeders.

One of the trails on Blackbeard Island, it's almost like going back in time.

The nest are so cool.

Tooth ache tree.

Indian lodge by Fort King George

Butterfly Pea

Fort King George

Beautiful flowers everywhere

Learned a new name for Armadillo, "Possum on a half shell"

Salt water marsh around Fort King George

Bakery at the Fort

The way in from the sea.

Damsel Fly

Area around the fort, a short wooden stockade with earth built up on the outside.

Zebra Long-wing.

Black and White of a trail on Blackbeard Island, the story is that the pirate accualy did buried his treasure here.

Blacksmith shop at the fort.

The only place for the guys to go at the fort.

Check out the pollen on this guys legs.

Giant Fox Tail Weed.

Barracks at the fort.

Bone Yard on the beach of Blackbeard Island.

Circa 1800 China at Hofwyl Plantation.

Dinning table at the Plantation these plates are made to keep food warm.

Volunteer Brenda and Refuge Manager Kimberly

1800's Candle Chandelier.

The beach area near the Bone Yard.

Teresa trying to blend in.

The first trundle.

Writing desk at the plantation.

Sandpiper

They call this the Bone Yard area due to all the dead trees.

This was the only kitchen for the plantation main house.

Plantation Barn

Not one of the grandest plantation homes, this is Hofwyl Plantation, it was very big in rice farming around Brunswick, Ga. The plantation had over 300 slaves.

Nature can really sculpt.  

Live Oak that was around during the Civil War.

Rice fields in between the Plantations and the Atlantic.

Another eagle on Blackbeard.

Live Oaks line the road into the plantation.

Great Blue Heron.

How cool is the Bone yard.

Loggerhead turtle shell on Blackbeard.

Dolphins playing in the water, the sun reflection is so cool.

Gull