Kiawah is mostly sunny this morning, with lots of clouds floating through the sky. Tourist season is in full swing now. Everywhere you look there are folks enjoying all that Kiawah has to offer - biking, rollerblading, swimming, walking and running, even just lounging by the ocean! Hopefully you have been taking advantage of the nice weather too. What enjoyable pastime have you treated yourself to lately?

It is difficult to believe that we have already reached the end of May - the month has passed so quickly!

Painted Bunting Janice says, "I thought I’d share the photo of the male bunting that visits our feeder regularly. The photo is a little blurred, but you can certainly see his bright colors."

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Today's weather looks like it will be a repeat of yesterday. Highs near ninety today, lows in the low seventies. There is a 20% chance of showers throughout the day and evening. 

Turtle News: There are now thirty-three nests on Kiawah's beach as of May 30th. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, two American alligators, one osprey, one great blue heron, one little blue heron, several brown pelicans, one male and one female cardinals, four white-tailed deer, one Carolina wren, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Memorial Day - While you are enjoying your Memorial Day, why not take some time to honor and remember the men & women serving in our military?  Thanks to all you veterans, past and present!

Once again it is too early to tell if clouds or sunshine cover the island. No chance of rain is predicted however, so how about we go out on a limb and say it will be sunny and warm?

Weather: It is 69 degrees at 5:30 this morning. Looks like Memorial Day is going to be a scorcher! Highs near ninety today, with lows in the low seventies. 

May 29th Turtle News: There are now thirty-two nests on Kiawah's beach.  Stay tuned later today for updated nest numbers. (Yes, that means the web master is on turtle nesting patrol this morning! Yawn...)

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: One male and one female painted bunting, seven American alligators, one Black Racer snake, one juvenile Black-crowned night heron, three osprey, two red-winged blackbirds, two great blue herons, a couple dozen brown pelicans, two male and one female cardinals, one red-bellied woodpecker, two blue jays, eleven white-tailed deer, one Carolina wren, several Carolina chickadees, several tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Kiawah is, er, DARK at 5:30 this morning! It is too early to tell if clouds or sunshine cover the island. Given the 40% prediction of rain, most likely we will have a fairly cloudy start to our day.

Memorial Day - While you are enjoying your Memorial Day week-end, why not take some time to honor and remember the men & women serving in our military?  Thanks to all you veterans, past and present!

Week-end Weather: It is 75 degrees at 5:30 Friday morning. There is a slight chance of rain heading into the week-end, but it should clear by early Saturday. Highs Friday near eighty with a 40% chance of showers. Lows near seventy with a 20% chance of rain. Saturday's high should be near eighty again, with a 20% chance of showers.  Lows in the upper sixties Saturday night.  Last but not least, watch for highs near eighty again on Sunday, with lows near seventy.  Not too shabby for Memorial Day week-end!

Turtle News: There were twenty-six nests on Kiawah as of May 26th.  Check back later today for the latest nest numbers. (Yes, that means the web master is on turtle nesting patrol this morning! Yawn...)

May 27th Turtle News: Kiawah's beach now has THIRTY nests.  Go mama turtles!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male cardinal, one red-bellied woodpecker, one blue jay, two white-tailed deer, one Carolina wren, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Turtle News: There were fifteen nests on Kiawah as of May 22nd. We have some busy turtle mamas so far! 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male cardinal, one downy woodpecker, one blue jay, one white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 25, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and already quite warm this morning. A few large, fluffy, white clouds are drifting lazily across the sky, and the sun is dazzlingly bright. Butterflies are flitting this way and that, landing suddenly on a lantana bloom to drink deeply of the nectar hidden there. What sights do you see this morning?

Weather: It is 82 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Have you noticed that our morning temperature has been creeping up one degree at a time all week? Highs in the mid-eighties today, lows near seventy.

Turtle News: There were fifteen nests on Kiawah as of May 22nd. We have some busy turtle mamas so far!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male cardinal, one corn snake, one red-headed woodpecker, one blue jay, three white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 24, 2011

It is overcast on Kiawah this morning, but the sun peeks out from time to time. No rain is predicted, but we could certainly use some!

Weather: It is 81 degrees at 9:00 this morning. How did our weather go from cool and sunny to scorching and sunny so quickly? Highs today in the upper eighties, lows in the low seventies.

Turtle News: There were fifteen nests on Kiawah as of May 22nd.  We have some busy turtle mamas so far! 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one broad-headed skink, one red-headed woodpecker, one blue jay, two white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 23, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and already quite warm this morning. Despite the fact that it is still May, more high temperatures are in store for us today.

Have you seen the caterpillars around the island recently? Tiny green ones, three or four different kinds of fuzzy ones... all moving with that curious caterpillar slide-walk-slink that they use. Thus far the plants do not seem to be suffering any ill effects. But watch your herbs, just in case!

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Hope you are ready for this warmer weather! Highs in the mid-eighties today, lows in the low seventies.

Turtle News: There were fifteen nests on Kiawah as of May 22nd.  We have some busy turtle mamas so far! 

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: One male and one female painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one red-headed woodpecker, a few red-winged blackbirds, two raccoons, two blue jays, seven white-tailed deer, several Carolina chickadees, several tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. Heard but not seen: more than two chuck wills widows.

May 20, 2011 Week-end Edition

It is sunny and already warm on Kiawah this morning. The weather is cooperating nicely, and that should continue throughout the week-end. Are you ready for an incredible week-end?

Did you know? May 20th is Endangered Species Day! is May 20. This day is dedicated to recognizing the many endangered species on our planet, and the conservation efforts that are being made to save them from extinction. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) became law in 1973. Since that time it has helped protect a variety of wild animals from human activities such as poaching and destroying their habitats. Want more information? Click here...

Did you know that there are sixteen animal species in South Carolina that are endangered? Click here to review the animal and plant endangered species in SC.

Kiawah has many critters...Kathy says, "This buck was very interested in Kelsey. He ignored it but the buck slowly kept getting closer and closer until it was within a few feet of him."

Week-end Weather: It is 72 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. Looks like Kiawah's normal weather will return over the week-end. Highs Friday near eighty, lows in the mid-sixties. Saturday's high is supposed to be in the low eighties, with lows in the upper sixties. Highs Sunday should be near ninety (yes, really!) with lows in the upper sixties.

Turtle News: There were seven nests on Kiawah as of May 18th. This same time last year there were three...

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one red-headed woodpecker, two red-winged blackbirds, two raccoons, one blue jay, two white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. Heard but not seen: more than two chuck wills widows.

May 19, 2011

Kiawah is bathed in sunshine this morning. It is a tad warmer than recent mornings, but still quite cool outside. Pretty amazing weather for May, don't you think?

Lightning bugs are the latest critter to make an appearance in the Critter Count (see link above). There are dozens of them flitting around each evening, broadcasting their presence with flickers of wee lights. Do they remind you of when you were a child?

Weather: It is 64 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Another cool beginning to our day, with warmer weather on the horizon. Highs today should be in the low eighties, lows tonight in the mid-sixties.

Turtle News: There were seven nests on Kiawah as of May 18th.  This same time last year there were three...

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One male and one female painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one red-headed woodpecker, one raccoon, one blue jay, one black vulture, four white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, several lightning bugs, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 18, 2011

It is once again sunny and cool on Kiawah this morning. The Kiawah Symphony Choir was singing quite loudly this morning.  Did you hear it? The frogs in the marsh were croaking the bass, while the birds provided varying levels of alto and soprano voices. One particularly enthusiastic Carolina wren was the soloist this morning, belting out tunes like Ethel Merman. How can such a minuscule creature have such a HUGE voice?

Did you know? Today is National Cheese Soufflé Day. "Soufflé" comes from the French verb souffler, which means "to blow up." Please do not blow up any cheese today! Chow down on some instead.

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 9:00 this morning. This weather is really spoiling us, and just before the heat and humidity arrives. Hope you are enjoying it! Highs in the mid-seventies, lows near sixty.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count A female painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one broad-headed skink, one red-headed woodpecker, one raccoon, two white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 17, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and cool again this morning. If you look around the island, you will see magnificent blossoms: magnolias, mimosas, bottlebrush bushes, oleanders, and lantanas. Explosions of color are scattered across the landscape. Why not take a walk or ride and see what you can find?

Weather: It is 62 degrees at 9:00 this morning. We have another lovely cool day in store for us. Highs in the mid-seventies, lows in the mid-fifties.  There is a 20% chance of rain throughout the day and evening.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count A female painted bunting, one marsh hawk, one male cardinal, one broad-headed skink, two anoles, two raccoons, three white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 16, 2011

It is gorgeous, sunny, and cool on Kiawah this morning. The island cooled off considerably last night, making for some incredible sleeping weather.  Open windows anyone?

Weather: It is 64 degrees at 9:00 this morning. What an amazingly cool morning! Highs today in the mid-seventies. Lows tonight in the mid-fifties with a 30% chance of rain.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two female and one male painted bunting, one female and one male cardinal, two great blue herons, two broad-headed skinks, one red-bellied woodpecker, three anoles, about a dozen white-tailed deer, several Carolina chickadees, several tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 13, 2011 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is back to her normal sunny self this morning. Hope you enjoy this fabulous weather!

There is superstition... No, not the Stevie Wonder song! Paraskavedekatriaphobia is "fear of the number 13" but is generally used to refer to the fear of the inauspicious date Friday the 13th. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Here's hoping that today's 13th is a lucky one! 

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive ~ May 14  Trident United Way encourages everyone in the Lowcountry to support the Stamp Out Hunger food drive this year. It's so easy to leave a couple of cans of food out by your mailbox for the letter carrier to collect. The food that is placed by your mailbox will be collected and delivered to the Lowcountry Food Bank. Last year, the food drive netted 80,000 pounds of food, enough to feed 62,400 hungry residents.

Week-end Weather: It is 74 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. Looks like the weather could be a mixed bag this week-end. Highs Friday in the low eighties , lows in the upper sixties. Saturday's high is supposed to be in the mid-eighties, with lows in the mid-sixties.  There is a 50% chance of showers throughout the day and evening.  Highs should be in the low eighties Sunday, with a 20% chance of rain. Lows Sunday night in the low sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two female and one male painted bunting, one male cardinal, one great blue heron, one red-bellied woodpecker, one anole, five white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. Heard but not seen: at least two chuck wills widows

May 12, 2011

It is mostly cloudy on Kiawah this morning. Still, Kiawah is fabulous this morning, with birds singing happily, lazy fat clouds drifting through the sky, and a very slight breeze. The Spanish moss seems to be floating in the branches of the trees as Kiawah's critters, humans and otherwise, go about their business.

Have you seen any...lightning bugs yet? Last night the first lightning bugs of the season were spotted. They were merrily flashing their lighted tails while flying through the marsh. If that isn't a harbinger of warm weather, what is?

Weather: It is 70 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Once again we have cloudy skies, but only a slight chance of showers. Highs today near eighty with 20% chance of rain. Lows tonight in the upper sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two female and one male painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one great blue heron, one red-bellied woodpecker, two blue jays, three anoles, two white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. Heard but not seen: a chuck wills widow.

May 11, 2011

Kiawah is partly cloudy this morning. We did receive the predicted rain yesterday, but in typical Camelot fashion, it did not arrive until after dark. Perfect! Hope you were able to get outside to play yesterday, and that you enjoyed the lovely weather.

Weather: It is 69 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Despite the clouds hanging around, there is only a slight chance of rain today. Highs near eighty again, lows in the upper sixties.  There is a 20% chance of showers throughout the day and night.

Turtle News: Kiawah's turtle patrol was supposed to begin this week-end.  However... <drum roll please> Nest #1 was laid on Kiawah on May 10th!  Be on the lookout for the baby blue t-shirts that indicate this year's turtle patrollers, and stop to say hello!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two female and one male painted bunting, one male cardinal, one great blue heron, one marsh hawk, one red-bellied woodpecker, two blue jays, one anole, eleven white-tailed deer, a few Carolina chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 10, 2011

It is mostly sunny on Kiawah this morning. The island is particularly lovely this morning. We are bathed in sunshine, and it is already beginning to warm up. Looks like a day to be outside soaking up the sun!

The magnolia blossoms are ready to burst open to welcome the warmth of the May sunshine. There are even a few oleander blooms valiantly trying to open. What May flowers do you have where you live?

Weather: It is 72 degrees at 9:00 this morning. The weather service says there is a high potential for severe thunderstorms, especially late this afternoon. Highs near eighty with a 30% chance of showers. Lows tonight in the upper sixties with a 50% chance of rain.

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

Turtle News: Kiawah's turtle patrol was supposed to begin this week-end.  However... <drum roll please> Nest #1 was laid on Kiawah last night, May 10th!  Be on the lookout for the baby blue t-shirts that indicate this year's turtle patrollers, and stop to say hello!

May 9, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and already quite warm this morning. Today would be a terrific day to explore the island. Have you ever visited Kildeer Pond and the Nature Trail in The Preserve? If not, why not take a little trip over and walk on the trails. There are birds galore on Kildeer Pond, and you may even be fortunate enough to see a wild turkey or if you are VERY quiet, even a bobcat! A marsh tower is tucked away in a little corner, and it has fabulous views of the marsh. Are you adventurous enough to go find it?

Weather: It is 76 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Today should be a glorious spring day! Highs in the upper seventies, lows in the mid-sixties.

Turtle News: Kiawah's turtle patrol will begin this week-end. Be on the lookout for the baby blue t-shirts that indicate this year's turtle patrollers, and stop to say hello!

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two female and one male painted bunting, one male and one female cardinal, one broad-headed skink, two blue jays, three anoles, one red-headed woodpecker, several American alligators, two white-tailed deer, several Carolina wrens, several Carolina chickadees, several tufted titmice, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 6, 2011 Week-end Edition

It is partly cloudy on Kiawah this morning. Just when you think the clouds have won, the sun peeks back out. It seems fairly likely that we will see a few showers today, but we should all be ready to play outside this week-end!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!  (For all you children, CALL YOUR MOTHER!)

Painted Bunting The painted buntings are back!  The painted buntings are back! Each year we all get quite excited when we begin spotting painted buntings on Kiawah. This male was photographed through a window (he was NOT cooperating when the camera was outside), so his colors are not as bright as what you will see "up close and in person" But he is still quite a sight to see!

Week-end Weather: It is 70 degrees at 9:05 Friday morning. After Friday, the week-end looks to be sunny and warm. Highs Friday in the low seventies, lows in the mid-fifties. There is a 60% chance of rain throughout the day and evening. Saturday's high should be in the upper seventies, with lows in the low sixties. We should see low eighties on Sunday, with lows in the low sixties.

Turtle News: The first loggerhead nest of the South Carolina season was laid on Fripp Island earlier this week.  Kiawah's loggerheads usually begin sometime around Mother's Day, so keep your eyes peeled!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two female and one male painted bunting, one broad-headed skink, two anoles, one yellow-bellied sapsucker, three American alligators, one white-tailed deer, a few Carolina wrens, a few Carolina chickadees, two blue jays, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 5, 2011

Kiawah is bathed in sunshine this morning, but looks can be deceiving. It isn't exactly warm outside just now! You will no doubt require a sweater or light jacket if you venture out in the next couple of hours. Our day should warm up though, and be ready for whatever adventure you have cooked up for yourself today. What will you do to enjoy this lovely sunshine?

Weather: It is 60 degrees at 9:10 this morning. That's quite a bit cooler than recent mornings, isn't it? Highs today in the low seventies, lows in the mid-fifties.

Turtle News: The first loggerhead nest of the South Carolina season was laid on Fripp Island earlier this week.  Kiawah's loggerheads usually begin sometime around Mother's Day, so keep your eyes peeled!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One female and one male painted bunting, one bobcat, one broad-headed skink, one five-lined skink, two American alligators, three white-tailed deer, a few Carolina wrens, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 4, 2011

It is sunny on Kiawah this morning, with nary a cloud in sight.  We are bathed in sunshine, and it is already beginning to warm up. Looks like a day to be outside soaking up the sun!

The magnolia blossoms are ready to burst open to welcome the warmth of the May sunshine. There are even a few oleander blooms valiantly trying to open. What May flowers do you have where you live?

Turtle News: Tonight is the annual spring turtle patrol meeting at 6:30 at the Sandcastle. Patrollers will be reviewing procedures, meeting and greeting each other (at a normal time of day rather than at 6:00 a.m.!), and getting their t-shirts for the 2011 season.

Weather: It is 69 degrees at 9:10 this morning.  It seems we have yet another perfect spring day in store for us! Highs in the mid-seventies with a 20% chance of showers. Lows near fifty tonight.  That's good sleeping weather, don't you think?

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two female and one male painted bunting, one broad-headed skink, two anoles, two American alligators, one white-tailed deer, a few Carolina wrens, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 3, 2011

Kiawah is sunny and beautiful this morning. It may not last long though, as the weather service is predicting a 40% chance of showers tonight. But for now the sun is out and the birds are singing - so get outside and play while you can!

Weather: It is 75 degrees at 9:10 this morning. The weather is cooperating again, with lovely blue skies and warm temperatures. Highs near eighty today! Lows tonight in the mid-sixties with a 40% chance of showers.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One female painted bunting, one broad-headed skink, a few Palamedes Swallowtail butterflies, two anoles, three American alligators, two white-tailed deer, a few Carolina wrens, two tufted titmice, a few Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

May 2, 2011

It is gorgeous and sunny on Kiawah this morning. The birds have been twittering (no, NOT tweeting on the computer!) all morning, and there is a slight breeze wafting through the Spanish moss. What a wonderful way to start the week!

Happy May Day! It is amazing to think that another month has passed already. We didn't get very many April showers, but hopefully we will still get bushels of May flowers!

Weather: It is 76 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  Once more we have a fabulous spring day on Kiawah! Highs near eighty, lows in the mid-sixties.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two female painted buntings, one yellow-bellied sapsucker, one Black-crowned night heron, three broad-headed skinks, two osprey, several Palamedes Swallowtail butterflies, four anoles, several American alligators, seven white-tailed deer, several Carolina wrens, several tufted titmice, several Carolina chickadees, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.