Saturday, September 29, 2007

Sun Set Over Hilton Head Island, South Carolina


"Sunset Sandwich"

Scouting for Porpoise Near Hilton Head Island


We can hear him come up and blow often but we never spotted him.
This may be another reason for the small haul of shrimp.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Fall Colors

Click to enlarge.












Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Conserving Water During a Drought


My state has declared a severe drought in most counties.

There are four stages of drought and severe is the third stage.

Here are some of their suggestions for conserving water:

1. Take shorter showers, even plug the water during a shower to have a concrete idea of how much water is actually used.

2. If a bath is your thing, try filling the tub only half way instead of all the way.

3. Turn the water off while shaving or brushing your teeth.

4. Don't use the toilet as a trashcan for facial tissue and similar items. Flushing them uses several gallons of water.

5. Use the garbage disposal less often.

6. Outdoors, use plants and grasses that are drought tolerant.

7. Wash your car less often or use a bucket of water instead of leaving the hose on.


Saturday, September 22, 2007

Casting the Net


After casting the six foot net over the bait balls by the poles we let it settle and slowly bring it back towards the boat and lift it up.
We released the net over a large plastic tub. The tub makes it easier to see the catch and to pick up what we won't keep.
We used tongs to catch and release the flounder and the little crabs we netted.
The water was not as salty as usual, probably from recent rains, so that may be why the shrimp were a little scarce.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Baiting the Poles


Flattening the bait balls helps them stay put during the changing tide.

I recently read that there are a lot of "secret" bait ball recipes but they all seem to use red clay as the binder and fish meal as the filler.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Setting the Poles

Getting ready to shrimp on the river bank.
We used a six foot net and plenty of bait. I helped make the bait balls and it was a smelly job but I had the satisfaction of doing my part.
Alas, the shrimp just aren't out in large numbers yet and we had a small haul. Some were medium to large though and made a good scampi for tonights dinner.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Bird Words

Am I the last to know that the Bob White is a quail?

Cherokee, North Carolina Flora and Fauna

Butterflys and Flowers.
North Carolina in September.
The Green Earth thrives even
in drought conditions.
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly
on Zinnia.




Monday, September 10, 2007

I Remember: 9/11 - Patriots Day

We Remember and Do Not Forget
We Freely Give to Keep
The Safe Homeland of our Fathers
-elle
The flag was at half mast at our motel in
North Carolina on the sixth anniversary
of 9/11. During our road trip we saw several
business flags lowered in remembrance.

Bug Herds Are Beneficial Because...

...they feed the insect eating birds. The birds are beneficial because they eat the icky bugs that bite people and animals.

I read on my state's wildlife website that it's so hard for birds to find bugs to eat during the cold winter season that they migrate to warmer, bug infested areas. I just thought it was because they were cold and maybe looking for berries and other foods not available in winter. It didn't occur to me that the insect eaters were subject to food shortages.

Our state bird is an insect eater but it winters here and forages for food. It's a hardy little thing, like the state it's named for.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Doe a Deer a Female Deer


I Can See You!





In the plains of the prairie dogs. Does she know she's safe in the eyes of this hunter? How can she know he's not there for her? Will she soon be wary? Do they smell the scent of gunpowder blowing on the winds of autumn?

Friday, September 7, 2007

Shrimp Baiting Season Starts Friday, September 14 in South Carolina

The shrimp baiting season of 2007 starts noon Friday, September 14 and ends noon Monday, November 12.

I didn't know you could catch shrimp from May till December without a license and without bait in South Carolina.

I've read that the young shrimp are getting ready for their annual trek to the sea, just like the turtle, so this is when the bait season starts.

They say larger shrimp are more abundant in November so I'm tempted to wait until then to go.

We usually go shrimping in Beaufort or Bluffton, South Carolina. Occasionally Hilton Head.

I might try my turn at making the bait balls this year. It's just that they have a really strong odor. I'm glad the caught shrimp don't smell like the bait they've eaten.

I also may try throwing the net more often this year. Usually I drive the boat around the poles and bring it in close to the bait poles but not too close. I have to give the net thrower room to throw.

Shrimping has been like a fun date at times. I'm glad my husband knows how to do all these outdoorsy things and I can tag along asking questions, trying to help and do my part. Being on the water at night is really nice. Especially when the moon is full.

I like a full moon so I can clearly see what I'm pulling from the net! Those shrimp have sharp horns and some of the small saltwater fish have extremely sharp fins or whiskers. It's always fun to catch a small squid. When you release them, they usually blow ink and in a flash, they're gone.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the Winter


There is no "off" season in my book. A site worth seeing is worth seeing year round.
I don't do heat well. I get that clammy and nauseous "I'm gonna faint feeling" pretty quickly if it's above 95 degrees F. So, I'd much rather go on trips during the other three seasons. I think it would make sense for public schools to have their off season spread out during the year because I'm sure there are others like me who would enjoy their vacation trips a lot more if they could walk about without fear of fainting.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

K.I.S.S. GLOBALLY

Keep It Simple Sweetie!

Planet earth is here for us, not us for it.

It's our homeland.

We take care of the earth so it will take care of us. We don't confiscate someones homeland to save a herd of bugs. We eradicate the herd of bugs so the PEOPLE can live safe from harm. Unless the bugs are friendly, then they live together peacefully.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

September Facts

SEPTEMBER:

-has nine letters.

-is the ninth month.

-Labor Day is always the first Monday of September.

-Grandparents Day is always the first Sunday after Labor Day.

-11th is now called Patriots Day in memory of the ones we lost and those who have fought because of the terrorist attacks.

-23rd is the first day of autumn. The leaves start their yearly fall color change from greens to reds, golds and rusts.

-birthstone is Sapphire. Usually blue sapphire though it is available in pink, yellow, green, and lilac. A nice alternative birthstone for September is the lapis lazuli, a beautiful opaque blue stone usually styled into a cabochon.

-1, 1939 is the start of World War II and September 2, 1945 is the official end of the war.

Sunday, September 2, 2007


Another Angel Trumpet Tree view.
The first time I saw one in full bloom was at Biltmore House in Ashville, NC. It was beautiful, trained into an umbrella shape.
The photo can be clicked on for a larger view.