It is overcast on Kiawah this morning. We have puddles everywhere! While we didn't have a rainy day yesterday, we did receive the promised rain, thank goodness! It rolled onto the island late yesterday evening, complete with lightning and thunder. It was quite torrential at times, leaving lots of leaves and branches in its wake. And it appears today we will see a bit more... April showers indeed!

Island Activities: The Lowcountry Artists and Artisans show is Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is an EGGstravangant Easter Festival on Saturday, and an Easter Egg Hunt and Toss, Tye Dye, Sandsculpting Contest, Easter Sunday Sundaes with Rick Hubbard, and Teen Laser Tag on Sunday. For more information about any of these activities, including locations and any applicable fees, please click the Something Fun To Do Today link below.

Happy Earth Day! Marylynn says "We were at Ibis Pond and saw this alligator sunning itself and then it yawned". It certainly gives new meaning to all of the "Danger, Alligator" signs around Kiawah, don't you think?

Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:05 Friday morning. IT certainly looks like rain... Highs Friday in the low seventies with a 40% chance of rain.  Lows in the mid-sixties with a 30% chance of showers. Both Saturday and Sunday should have highs near eighty, and lows in the mid-sixties.  What a great week-end we have in store for us!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two Palamedes Swallowtail butterflies, two American alligators, six white-tailed deer, two osprey, a few Carolina wrens, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, several brown pelicans, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 21, 2011

Kiawah is gorgeous and sunny this morning. What a fabulous, beautiful day! The air is warm, the sun is out, and Kiawah is paradise. The temperature will be warm today, and the scent of spring is in the air. Lots of folks were out and about yesterday, taking advantage of the lovely weather. Did you get a chance to spend time outside?

Island Activities: There are LOADS of things to do on the island today! Check out Professional Oil Painting Instruction at Mingo Point from 9am – 12pm, Kamp Kiawah: Everyday is Earth Day from 1pm to 4 pm, Our World at 3 p.m., and a Soccer Demonstration and Fun Games with Temoc Suarez from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. For more information, including locations and any applicable fees, please click the Something Fun To Do Today link below.

Weather: It is 76 degrees at 9:10 this morning. It certainly doesn't look like rain, anything but!  Hopefully we will have another lovely sunny day.Highs near eighty with a 40% chance of showers. Lows tonight in the low sixties with a 20% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Five American alligators, three white-tailed deer, two osprey, a few Carolina wrens, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, several brown pelicans, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 20, 2011

It is a bit cloudy on Kiawah this morning, but nice and warm. Are these clouds part of the old "April showers bring May flowers" saying? No chance of rain is predicted until this evening, and then only a 20% chance. Still, it is nice and warm, and Kiawah awaits the intrepid explorer! Here is a little known suggestion for the budding Columbus' out there: why not investigate the Kiawah Swamp Garden?

The Kiawah Swamp Garden is located on Turtle Beach Lane (accessible by bicycle). It is a secluded wetland garden, where you can usually see many alligators and turtles, as well as several varieties of Kiawah's native plants. Can you locate it?

Weather: It is 75 degrees at 9:00 this morning. That's a fifteen degree swing since yesterday morning.  What is Mother Nature up to now?  However, we should have another amazing spring day! Highs today in the low eighties, lows in the mid-sixties with a 20% chance of showers.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One American alligator, seven white-tailed deer, one osprey, a few Carolina wrens, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 19, 2011

Kiawah is once again lovely and sunny this morning. It is a gorgeous day! The birds are singing loudly, the squirrels are chasing madly, and the breeze is blowing gently. Here's hoping you get to go outside and play today!

Passover: Wishing those who observe it a blessed Passover. This eight-day festival commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Click here for more information.

Weather: It is 60 degrees at 9:00 this morning. What shall we call today's weather?  Gorgeous?  Fabulous?  Or, dare we say it, PERFECT?  Highs are supposed to be in the upper seventies, lows in the mid-sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Three American alligators, two anoles, three white-tailed deer, one osprey, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 18, 2011

It is sunny and cooler on Kiawah this morning. After a terrific week-end, our week begins in the same vein - gorgeous sunshine, warm temperatures, and a slight cool breeze coming in from the ocean. Life is good!

Tax Day: Today is Tax Day, so be sure to get your tax return in the mail to Uncle Sam!

Weather: It is 59 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Today's should be another perfect spring day! Highs are supposed to be in the mid-seventies, lows near sixty.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Fourteen American alligators, one blue jay, three anoles, nearly two dozen white-tailed deer, two osprey, one Belted Kingfisher, one great crested flycatcher, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 15, 2011 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is gorgeous, sunny, and warm this morning. It is a bit warmer than yesterday, so expect LOTS of folks to be out and about. When you look around you can tell it is spring break - there were many people on the beach and the paths yesterday. Kiawah is starting to get busy again, at least for a little while.

Spring is fully in gear, and so are everyone's allergies! Today's pollens are oak, sweetgum and sycamore. The "allergy alert" says that pollen is in the high range today, or 10.3 on a scale from 1 to 12. Better keep those tissues handy!

Community News: Don't forget that Cars in the Park and Earth Day Fest will be held Saturday at Night Heron Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Click here or below on the Something Fun To Do Today link to find out more!

Great Horned Owl Occasionally if you listen in the evening, you can hear Kiawah's owl population hooting it up.  (It's a groaner, but couldn't resist!)  This great horned owl was kind enough to show itself during the day, so it was easily captured on film.

Week-end Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:05 Friday morning. Are you ready for a fabulous spring day?  Highs Friday in the low seventies, lows in the mid-sixties with a 40% chance of showers.  Saturday's high should be in the mid-seventies with a 70% chance of rain.  Look for lows in the mid-fifties with a 50% chance of showers.  Sunday should also bring highs in the mid-seventies, with lows in the low fifties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One LARGE American alligator, one blue jay, one anole, two white-tailed deer, one osprey, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 14, 2011

It is a glorious sunny day on Kiawah. Once again Mother Nature has graced us with a amazingly beautiful morning. The sun-dappled trees are draped across the paths, decorated with Spanish moss that seems to be floating in the gentle breeze. Birds dive and loop through the branches, calling to one another as they go about their business.  It is springtime on Kiawah!

Town News: Tickets have been released for A Prelude to Piccolo on Sunday, May 1st at 4:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Complimentary tickets are available at Town Hall. For more information call (843) 768-9166, or click here.

Weather: It is 63 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Are you ready for a fabulous spring day?  Highs today in the low seventies, lows near sixty.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two American alligators, one American Green Tree Frog, one blue jay, two anoles (anoli?), three white-tailed deer, one osprey, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 13, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and cool this morning. The island is simply gorgeous, even though the temperature is a full twenty degrees cooler than yesterday morning. The birds are singing happily, as if they too are enjoying the beauty around them.  What will you do today to enjoy spring?

Weather: It is 54 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Despite the showers that loitered to the west of us yesterday, we did not receive any rain.  But things certainly cooled down a bit!  Highs in the mid-seventies, lows tonight in the mid-fifties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male painted bunting, one American alligator, one anole, one white-tailed deer, one osprey, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 12, 2011

We are back to sunshine on Kiawah this morning.  Yea! It certainly looks like another lovely day in paradise.

So do you want the good news or the bad news first?  The good news is that the oak leaves seem to have finished dropping all over everything.  The bad news?  Now the oak tags are covering our lawns, driveways, cars...

Weather: It is 75 degrees at 9:05 this morning. It is clear and sunny now, but there is a band of showers lurking to the west of us.  Highs today in the mid-seventies with a 40% chance of rain. Lows in the low fifties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two American alligators, one anole, three white-tailed deer, a few brown pelicans, two osprey, a few double-crested cormorants, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 11, 2011

Kiawah is overcast this morning. Clouds rolled in again late yesterday, and it certainly looks like some April showers are on the way. With these April showers, we should certainly see some May flowers, now shouldn't we?

Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Today should be warmer than yesterday, and quite windy by this afternoon.  Highs near eighty today. Lows tonight in the mid-sixties with a 30% chance of rain.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the course of the week-end: seven American alligators, three anoles, two yellow-rumped warblers, five white-tailed deer, eleven brown pelicans, two osprey, three double-crested cormorants, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 8, 2011 Week-end Edition

It is sunny and beautiful on Kiawah this morning. The island is in full spring mode! The azaleas are out in full force now. Everywhere you look it seems that Kiawah is showing off its colors - fuchsia, white, red, and purple azaleas, the delicate pink of a dogwood, pale lavender wisteria hanging from branches, the soft yellow of Carolina Jessamine...flowers are spread far and wide across the landscape. Mother Nature is putting on her best show!

Sunset Last night's sunset looked just like this - all soft purples, muted oranges and yellows. Most of us never tire of watching a Kiawah sunset...

Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning. That's ten degrees warmer than yesterday morning for those of you keeping track. Yea! Highs Friday should be in the mid-eighties.  Lows are supposed to be in the mid-sixties with a 20% chance of showers.  Saturday's high should be near eighty, with lows in the mid-sixties, and a 20% chance of rain throughout the day and evening.  Last but certainly not least, Sunday's high should be near eighty, with lows in the mid-sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Three white-tailed deer, one American alligator, one anole, one osprey, one great blue heron, roughly a dozen black vultures, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 7, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and dazzling this morning. Yes, dazzling!  Look outside at the wonderful sunshine, step outside and feel its warmth, and see if you agree.  It is spring on Kiawah!

Weather: It is 58 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Looks like the island is back to glorious spring weather! Highs should be in the low seventies, lows near sixty.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Two white-tailed deer, two osprey, one great blue heron, roughly a dozen black vultures, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 6, 2011

It is sunny but cool on Kiawah this morning. The rain and winds departed late yesterday afternoon, leaving sunshine in their wake.  The high winds mean that leaves, branches, and Spanish moss were also left all over the place.  Picking up the yard is just what you wanted to do today with all the sunshine, isn't it?

Weather: It is 55 degrees at 9:10 this morning. The weather is supposed to be cooperative today, so plan to get outside and play if you can! Highs should be in the mid-sixties, lows in the low fifties tonight.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Four white-tailed deer, one osprey, one male cardinal, two great blue herons, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 5, 2011

Kiawah is rainy and gray this morning. The wind is making its presence felt today - we can expect gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Hope you got your sunshine and vitamin D yesterday, because today looks to be an inside kind of day!

Weather: It is 64 degrees at 9:15 this morning. The weather radar is quite colorful this morning, displaying the bank of showers currently covering Kiawah. Highs in the upper sixties with a 100% chance of rain. (Duh!) Lows tonight in the low forties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two white-tailed deer, one male and one female cardinal, one great blue heron, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

April 4, 2011

It is gorgeous and sunny on Kiawah this morning. After a beautiful week-end, a sunny Monday doesn't seem so hard to take, does it?

A Recipe for Spring

Take half a dozen robins, some bluebirds, at least one gallant mockingbird to sing outside your door; a carpet of green velvet, with patterned flowers gay; the graceful fonds of willows that swing and dip and sway; some glowing green of maples, a bit of dogwood’s white, the purple-pink of redbud from dawn-time’s glowing light; the rippling of a brooklet, the splendor of the sky, the haunting scent of lilac, some fleecy clouds on high; a breeze to whisper softly in your ear, things that only you can hear.

And if you’ll stir them gently, and mold them in your heart, until the sight and sound of them is of yourself a part, you’ll have the sweetest springtime that ever you have known; though everyone may share it, it still will be your own.

 - From Farmers’ Almanac, Vol. 157 (1974)