It is cloudy on Kiawah this morning.  It seems we leave March in true "lion" fashion, with wind and rain. Given that "in like a lion, out like a lamb" wasn't accurate, do you think "April showers bring May flowers" will be?

Weather: It is 54 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Once more the weather radar shows heavy showers are nearby. Highs in the mid-fifties with a 90% chance of showers. Lows tonight in the mid-forties with a 20% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One turkey vulture, several black vultures, three white-tailed deer, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Kiawah is gray and overcast this morning, but at least it is considerably warmer than recent mornings!  The island is a bit waterlogged this morning, and showers are expected throughout the day.  

Did you know... These facts about today's date?

• The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867

• The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was proclaimed, which states that a person cannot be denied the ballot because of race or color (in 1870)

• Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853

• is Doctor's Day

• is "I Am In Control" Day (Are you?)

 Weather: It is 63 degrees at 9:10 this morning. A look at the weather radar shows a sizeable  amount of shower activity nearby.  Keep that umbrella handy! Highs in the upper sixties with nearly a 100% chance of rain. Tonight's low should be in the low fifties with a 40% chance of showers.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One raccoon, two double-crested cormorants, five white-tailed deer, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

It is overcast and damp on Kiawah this morning. After a few weeks of lovely spring weather, we seem to have regressed to January weather!  How did that happen?  Hopefully you have a good book to read to stave off this cold, dreary weather. 

Weather: It is 48 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Day two of March's "out like a lion"... Highs near sixty today, lows in the mid-fifties with a 40% chance of rain.

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

Kiawah is a bit dreary and chilly this morning.  We head into the end of March dreading the "lion", since clearly we won't be getting any lamb-like weather.  It looks like we can expect showers until the end of the week, so March will be ushered out with rain and wind. Perhaps the "in like a lamb, out like a lion" saying has some merit?

Weather: It is 45 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Who let the cold weather back onto the island? Highs today the low fifties with a 70% chance of showers. Lows tonight in the mid-forties with a 20% chance of rain.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two osprey building a nest, several Clouded Sulphur butterflies, several double-crested cormorants, two American alligators, five white-tailed deer, several tufted titmice, several Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

It is mostly sunny on Kiawah this morning. Though it seems a bit chilly given the warmth of recent mornings, today should still be a banner day to get outside and play!

Spring has certainly sprung here on the island.  How can you tell?  Two things now cover nearly everything on Kiawah: a yellow "sheen" and leaves from the live oaks.  Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time to get out the leaf blower and time to grab your allergy medication. J

Nesting Osprey This photo shows the osprey pair as they were apparently arguing over precisely where the kids bedroom should be - there was much squawking and flapping of wings! But they eventually agreed & went on about building the nest. See more of the osprey photos on the Welcome To Kiawah Facebook page!

Week-end Weather: It is 57 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning. That is a 13 degree drop since Thursday morning.  Yikes! Highs Friday in the mid-sixties, lows in the low fifties.  Saturday's high should be in the low seventies, with a 20% chance of showers. Lows in the upper fifties with a 40% chance of rain. The high Sunday is supposed to be in the mid-seventies, with lows in the mid-fifties.  There is a 40% chance of showers throughout the day and evening.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two osprey building a nest, three Clouded Sulphur butterflies, four double-crested cormorants, two American alligators, three white-tailed deer, three great blue herons, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Kiawah is sunny and already quite warm this morning. It is going to be a fine spring day! We have bright sunny skies with wispy clouds floating lazily across them. One sign of spring that is certainly not lacking on Kiawah these days is... pollen! Anything that sits outside for longer than an hour is covered by a fine mist of yellow dust. Cars, leaves, potted plants - nothing is exempt!

It is difficult to believe that we have only one more week of March! Since we didn't experience the "in like a lion" portion, will we still see the "out like a lamb"?  

Weather: It is 70 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Today should be another warm, wonderful day.  However, we do have a "Fire Weather Warning", from 11 a.m. this morning to 7 p.m. this evening, meaning gusty winds, critically low humidity, and very dry fuels will increase the potential for erratic wildfire behavior today. Any fires that ignite will spread quickly. Highs in the upper seventies today, lows in the upper forties tonight.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two black vultures, two double-crested cormorants, one American alligator, four white-tailed deer, one great blue heron, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

March 23, 2011

It is warm and lovely on Kiawah this morning. The sun is out, the temperature will be warm, and the scent of spring is in the air. The azalea buds are beginning to peep out and bulbs are shooting their foliage towards the sky. Isn't spring gorgeous on Kiawah?

Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Looks like we have yet another fabulous spring day in store for us! Highs today near eighty, lows in the low sixties with a 20% chance of rain.

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

March 22, 2011

Kiawah is bathed in glorious sunshine this morning. Kiawah's critters seem to be enjoying the weather too - during an outing in The Preserve yesterday, there were alligators a land turtle sunning on the banks of the lagoon.  Have you spotted any new critters lately?

Weather: It is 66 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Despite all the pollen in the air, the warm weather is certainly bringing folks outside to play!  Highs in the upper seventies today, lows tonight near sixty.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Four "butterbutts"( yellow-rumped warblers), three double-crested cormorants, three American alligators in The Preserve one male and one female cardinal, three white-tailed deer, two great blue herons, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

March 21, 2011

It is sunny on Kiawah this morning, with plenty of warm breezes to go around. What a fabulous, beautiful day! The air is warm, the sun is out, and Kiawah is paradise.

This is the time of year when our lovely live oaks become the scourge of gardens - and gardeners!  March's "lion" winds have scattered the dead leaves everywhere. And except for an hour or two when the yard looks nice, raking does not do much good! The leaves just seem to keep coming down.  On the other hand, the Bradford pear trees certainly look beautiful with their white blossoms bursting out all over.

Weather: It is 58 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Today should be warmer than yesterday, with loads of sunshine to boot! Highs today near seventy, lows in the upper fifties.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Five American alligators at Osprey Point, one wood stork, one male cardinal, nine white-tailed deer, several double-crested cormorants, three great blue herons, one raccoon, several tufted titmice, several Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

March 18, 2011 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is sunny and warm this morning. This weather is a harbinger for our week-end, when our weather will be simply amazing!  Kiawah will be covered with sunshine and warmth, a welcome addition to anyone's plans for the week-end.  What will you be doing to enjoy it?  Hopefully you will be able to get outside and play!

Howl at the Moon: The Full Worm Moon will be here Saturday evening. According to folklore, tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in long-dormant gardens. This moon will be the closest to Earth it's been since 1992. It will appear about 14 percent larger and significantly brighter than usual.  Sounds like a terrific excuse to play in the moonlight, doesn't it? 

Well, HELLO! This little raccoon is often spotted around Marsh Island Drive.  As long as you stay back, it is quite happy to pose for photographs for fans!

Week-end Weather: It is 54 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. Boy are we in store for a fabulous week-end! Get out your shorts and sunscreen, because Mr. Sun will on Kiawah in a BIG way! Friday's high should be in the mid-seventies, lows in the upper fifties. We should see highs in the upper seventies Saturday, with lows in the upper fifties. Highs Sunday in the mid-sixties, lows in the low fifties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Three American alligators, two white-tailed deer, several double-crested cormorants, one great blue heron, one raccoon, a few tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.  Another interesting sighting: Sarah Ernst reports otter tracks near the Ocean Course!

March 17, 2011  Happy St. Patrick's Day

It is another gorgeous sunny morning on Kiawah. Did you wake to sunshine and birdsong this morning? The birds seem to be making quite a ruckus, flitting about and singing happily. Do you think they could be... Irish?