Weather: It is 82 degrees at 9:00 this morning. More hot, humid weather is on the agenda for today. Highs in the mid-eighties, with lows in the upper seventies. There is a 20% chance of showers for both.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Roughly two dozen glossy ibis, two ruby-throated hummingbirds, one anole,  seven American alligators, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 19, 2009

It is sunny and humid on Kiawah this morning.  We have passed the mid-point of August, the children are back in school, and the island is starting to get less crowded.  Can you believe the summer is nearly over?

 Did you know? Kiawah is home to many species of snakes. You can find them in all parts of the island: the dunes, the maritime forest, the beach, the surf, the ponds, the marsh, and swampy areas. About half of South Carolina's 30 species of snakes can be found on Kiawah. The Town of Kiawah Island has a very informative brochure describing some of Kiawah's snakes. It is free, and is available at the Visitor's Center at the Town Hall.

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Looks like we have a repeat of yesterday's weather - no complaints here! Highs today in the upper eighties, lows in the mid-seventies.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Five baby loggerhead turtles, one ruby-throated hummingbird, two American alligators, one five-lined skink, one male and three female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 18, 2009

Kiawah is mostly sunny this morning.  It should be a fabulous day for getting outside to play!

Folks are keeping an eye on Hurricane Bill far off shore.  It doesn't look very likely that it will come ashore in South Carolina, but we all will be watching carefully, especially as we get closer to the week-end.

Weather: It is 79 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Warm and humid will be the order of the day - in other words, a typical August day! Highs in the upper eighties, lows in the mid-seventies today.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One ruby-throated hummingbird, one American alligator, one five-lined skink, three male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   

August 17, 2009

It is mostly cloudy on Kiawah this morning. After a few showers during the week-end, it looks like this week will be rain-free.  Keep your fingers crossed... What will you do with this rainless day?

Weather: It is 79 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Highs today in the upper eighties, lows in the low seventies.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two bottle-nosed dolphins, five American alligators, two toads, two five-lined skinks, two anoles, eight writing spiders, five male and eight female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 14, 2009 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is overcast with light showers this morning. We have a storm front just off the coast that gives the impression of sticking around for a while - drats!  Do you have some rainy day activities planned for the week-end?

Great Blue Heron This great blue heron was soaring over one of the lagoons in The Preserve.  

Week-end Weather: It is 74 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. Looks like we have a good possibility of showers throughout the week-end. Highs Friday in the low eighties with a 70% chance of rain. Lows should be in the mid-seventies with a 50% chance. Saturday's high is supposed to be in the mid-eighties, the low in the upper seventies, and there is a 50% chance of showers during both.  Luckily the chance of rain drops to 40% Sunday, with a high in the upper eighties.  Lows Sunday night should be in the mid-seventies.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One American alligator, one toad, two five-lined skinks, one writing spider, two male and five female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 13, 2009

It is overcast on Kiawah this morning! The drizzly rain has stopped for now, but most likely it will return later today. It looks like everyone will be searching for indoor activities to entertain themselves! Movies anyone?

Astronomy 101: The Perseids meteor shower is still in town tonight, but it isn't much more likely that we will be able to view it. The best hours for viewing are 2 to 5 a.m. Grab a blanket (watch out for fire ants!) lie down and look up!  Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.

Weather: It is 75 degrees at 9:05 this morning. There is a flash flood watch through this evening. Today's high should be in the low eighties, with a 90% chance of showers. The low tonight should be in the mid-seventies, and there is an 80% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One Black-crowned night heron, two American alligators, five writing spiders, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 12, 2009

Kiawah is H-O-T this morning! It seems that sticky will be the order of the day, at least until the rain shows up.  The weather service says that storms this afternoon could have strong winds and hail.  HAIL?  Goodness!  Please be careful out there!

Astronomy 101: The Perseids meteor shower is in town through tomorrow. Dozens of meteors will streak through the skies every hour. The best hours for viewing are 2 to 5 a.m. Grab a blanket (watch out for fire ants!) lie down and look up!  According to NASA, this year's Perseid meteor shower could be even better than usual. A filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it between 4:00 and 5:00 am tonight, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal rate. Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.

Weather: It is 86 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Yes, it is ALREADY 86 degrees!  YIKES! Highs today near ninety, lows in the upper seventies, with a 70% chance of showers for both.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One Black-crowned night heron, one American alligator, several Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one writing spider, one ruby-throated hummingbird, one male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 11, 2009

It is S-T-E-A-M-Y on Kiawah this morning! It seems that we are receiving August's humidity all at once. But soon enough fall will arrive, and with it cooler temperatures - hopefully without hurricanes. All of this heat and humidity does provide the perfect excuse to head to the beach to enjoy the ocean breezes. Will you be in the water today?

Astronomy 101: The Perseids meteor shower is in town from August 11th through 13th. Dozens of meteors will streak through the skies every hour. You can see the meteors tonight, but the best hours for viewing are 2 to 5 a.m. tomorrow. Grab a blanket (watch out for fire ants!) lie down and look up!  According to NASA, this year's Perseid meteor shower could be even better than usual. A filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it, sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 am on August 12th, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal rate. Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.

Weather: It is 81 degrees at 9:05 this morning. We have a repeat of yesterday's weather today... Highs near ninety, and lows in the mid-seventies. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One Black-crowned night heron, two American alligators, several Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one writing spider, one ruby-throated hummingbird, one male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 10, 2009

It is sunny and already warm on Kiawah this morning. Once again we start our day with a giant dose of humidity. Isn't it humility we are supposed to have in abundance? J Quick! Someone contact the letter police. Our "l" has been stolen and replaced with a "d"!

Today will be a good day to test out the ocean waters, or better still, the pool. Hot and steamy is the perfect excuse for some soothing cool water. Or perhaps a large serving of something C-O-L-D?

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:05 this morning. It should be hot and sticky today, so stay cool out there! Today's high should be near ninety, with lows in the mid-seventies. 

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: One Black-crowned night heron, two yellow-bellied sapsuckers, four American alligators, several Gulf Fritillary butterflies, two great blue herons, eight writing spiders, two ruby-throated hummingbirds, three male and five female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 7, 2009 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is overcast this morning, and still quite humid. We begin our week-end with cloudy skies, but it seems that we will see sunshine for most of it.  How are you planning to spend your week-end?

Did you know? August 7th is Purple Heart Day.  The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces that has been wounded or killed, died as a result of a wound in battle, or otherwise designated by the President of the United States. This now includes those persons killed as a result of friendly fire.  Today is a good day to remember and recognize those people willing to serve our country, no matter the price.

Turtle News: Just when we thought nesting season was over... the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol says that one more nest was laid yesterday.  That brings our total this season to 123 nests! 

Reminder: This weekend is your "last chance" to participate in the school supplies donation to Mt. Zion Elementary school.  If you would like to take part this year, click here for information. 

Bottle-nosed dolphin This bottle-nosed dolphin was spotted off Captain Sam's Inlet. It was part of a pod that seemed to be headed up the river.

Week-end Weather: It is 74 degrees at 9:05 Friday morning. Though there is no officially predicted chance of rain, the high humidity this week-end suggests that a shower could pop up at any time. Friday's high should be near ninety, with lows in the upper seventies.  The high Saturday is supposed to be near ninety again, with lows in the mid-seventies.  Sunday should be a repeat, with a high near ninety and lows in the mid-seventies.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Two American alligators, a dozen or more Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one great blue heron, one writing spider, one ruby-throated hummingbird, one male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 6, 2009

It is sunny on Kiawah this morning, and not quite as warm as recent mornings. It is actually almost cool and very comfortable, with not much humidity to speak of. The ocean breezes are gentle and fresh - like breaths of cool air brushing across your face. Even the water is calm and peaceful. Will you be spending any time at the beach today?

Weather: It is 77 degrees at 9:05 this morning. Our ever present chance of showers is a bit higher today. Highs in the mid-eighties, lows in the mid-seventies, both with a 50% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One American alligator, two Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one great blue heron, five writing spiders, two ruby-throated hummingbirds, two male and three female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 5, 2009

Kiawah is sunny and humid this morning. Does this sound like a broken record? Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, if you go outside, be dressed for HOT weather! The golf courses and tennis courts are nearly empty after early morning - you can hardly blame folks for trying to avoid the heat of the day. Sounds like the beach or the pool is the order of the day!

Astronomy 101: The full Sturgeon Moon is tonight. Fishing Indian tribes are given credit for the naming of this Moon, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because as the Moon rises it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon Full Fruit or Barley Moon, but the names Fruit and Barley were reserved only for those years when the Harvest Moon is very late in September.

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Just a slight chance of showers today... Highs near ninety, lows in the mid-seventies, both with a 20% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, one writing spider, one ruby-throated hummingbird, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 4, 2009

It is sunny and already warm on Kiawah this morning. Since Mother Nature is cooperating, why not visit somewhere on Kiawah that you may not have been to before?  The Marsh View Tower is often overlooked, but is a great place to catch a view of the Kiawah River. It offers incredible views of the river, its mud flats, and the marsh. It is located off Marsh Hawk Lane. Why not go for a visit? Be sure to take your camera!

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this  morning. Not much of a chance of rain today... finally! Highs in the low nineties with a 20% chance of showers.  Tonight's low should be in the mid-seventies.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, six writing spiders, two ruby-throated hummingbirds, one Black-crowned night heron, two American alligators, one male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

August 3, 2009

Kiawah is sunny this morning, with lots of humidity thrown in for good measure.  Tourist season is winding down - school begins here next week, and at most other schools soon after. Hopefully everyone who visited Kiawah this year enjoyed themselves immensely and will be back in the future. How was your summer?

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:00 this  morning. Showers are possible later today, darn it! Highs in the upper eighties with a 50% chance of rain.  Lows tonight should be in the mid-seventies with a 30% chance.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two great blue herons, two ruby-throated hummingbirds, one Black-crowned night heron, four American alligators, three male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.