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December 31, 2009
Kiawah is overcast but a bit warmer this morning. It appears that more
showers are headed our way, but hopefully not until AFTER the New Year's
Eve celebrations are complete!
Here we are at the end of another year - hard to believe it is New
Year's Eve, is it not? If you are celebrating the coming of the new year
by going out on the town, please drive safely!
Rare New Year's Eve Blue Moon will ring in 2010: Once in a
blue moon there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will
be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a
blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be
blue — the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest
celestial neighbor. A full moon occurred on Dec. 2. It will appear again
tonight in time for the New Year's countdown.
Weather: It is 47 degrees at 9:05
this morning. We should have slightly warmer weather today, despite the
chance of showers. Highs in the low sixties
with a 50% chance of rain. Lows tonight in the
mid-forties with a 40% chance.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
great blue heron, three
Carolina wrens,
two yellow-rumped warblers,
two
black
vultures,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 30, 2009
It is another sunny, cool day here on Kiawah. A mere 39 degrees at 9:00
a.m. this morning - brrrrrrrrr! But the sunshine is gorgeous, and will
no doubt warm us up enough to venture outside.
The sunset last night was incredible. As the sun went down the sky
turned various hues of pink and purple, with just a dash or orange
thrown in every now and then. Nature certainly outdid herself last
night!
Weather: It is 39 degrees at 9:05
this morning. Rain is headed in our direction, possibly arriving
tomorrow, so enjoy the sunshine while you can! Highs today in the mid-fifties
with a 20% chance of showers. Lows in the
low forties with a 60% chance.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
great blue heron, four
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive. Heard but not seen: two
screech owls
December 29, 2009
It is bright and shiny on Kiawah this morning, but quite
chilly out there! Looks like we are back to normal temperatures for this
time of year. Baby it's cold outside!
Happy Birthday to you! Today is the birthday of
island resident and photographer extraordinaire, Kathy Heikes. HAPPY
BIRTHDAY KATHY! Do you have a birthday or other special day coming
up?
Click here to tell Welcome To Kiawah
It will be posted to the web site to help you celebrate!
Weather: It is 35 degrees at 9:05
this morning. Today is definitely sweater weather! Highs near fifty
today, lows tonight in the
mid-thirties.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
anhinga, one
great blue heron, several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 28, 2009
Kiawah is mostly cloudy this morning, with far cooler
temperatures than last week. We begin the final week of the year
with Mother Nature unable to decide whether Kiawah should be gray or sunny.
The sun appears to be playing hide-and-go-seek with the clouds, pushing
through long enough to tantalize with a brief hint of warmth.
Kiawah Lunch Time Howard Snelling is a member of the Kiawah
Island Photography Club who takes marvelous photos. He says that
he enjoyed taking this one, and calls it "Kiawah Lunch Time".
Weather: It is 48 degrees at 9:10
this morning. Nothing on the weather map today but cooler
temperatures... Highs today in the low fifties, lows tonight in the
low thirties. ** Plant watch... **
Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end:
three
anhinga, one
marsh hawk, two
great blue herons, several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 25, 2009 ** Merry Christmas **
It is overcast and drizzly on Kiawah this Christmas morning.
* Merry Christmas to all! *
Or would that be merry kiss moose? Here is
hoping that your holiday is a wonderful day filled with family,
friends, laughter, peace, and joy.
Click
here to read Lowcountry versions of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Week-end Weather: It is 65 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning.
There is a high surf advisory and a wind advisory for most of today, so
be careful out there! Highs Friday near seventy with a 100% chance of
showers. Lows tonight in the low forties. Saturday's high should be in the upper fifties, with
lows near forty. Last but not least, the high Sunday is supposed
to be in the mid-fifties, with lows in the mid-thirties. There is
a 20% chance of rain for both.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
bobcat
anhinga, several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several
brown pelicans,
and dozens of
snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 24, 2009
Kiawah is covered in sunshine this morning. If you are
traveling for the holiday, or those you love are on their way,
here's hoping everyone arrives safely.
Tonight is the night that children all over the world may actually go to
bed without much prompting, waiting for Santa Claus to stop by. But did
you know that children are not the only ones anxious to see Santa? The
North American Air Defense Command tracks Santa's progress across the
globe as he delivers his toys. Don't believe it?
Click here to track
Santa for yourself!
Click
here to read Lowcountry versions of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Weather: It is 50 degrees at 9:10 this morning.
More warm temperatures will be hanging about today, but showers are on
the way. Highs near sixty today with a 29% chance of rain. Lows tonight in the
mid-fifties with nearly a 100% chance. Guess Santa's reindeer will
get wet tonight!
Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two
bobcats,
one
anhinga, two double-crested cormorants,
several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 23, 2009
It is sunny on Kiawah this morning. Looking outside it
would seem to be a typical warm tropical day...NOT! We are certainly in
the midst of winter now, no doubt about that. Is it too early to start
thinking spring?
Astronomy 101: Tonight is the final night
for the Ursid meteor showers. Earth is passing through a stream of debris from
comet 8P/Tuttle, causing the annual Ursid meteor shower. The meteors
originate in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper) not far from the north star.
Weather: It is 39 degrees at 9:10 this morning.
We should see temperatures that are just ever so slightly warmer than
the past few days. Highs today in the upper fifties, and lows in the
mid-forties.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
red-tailed hawk, two
double-crested cormorants,
several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 22, 2009
Kiawah is sunny again this morning, but still just a tad chilly. Christmas is approaching quickly,
and the island is beginning to fill up with visitors. Are you on Kiawah for the holidays, or traveling someplace else?
Astronomy 101: Tonight and tomorrow night the Ursid meteor showers are in town. Earth is passing through a stream of debris from
comet 8P/Tuttle, causing the annual Ursid meteor shower. The Ursids
should peak Dec. 22nd with 8 to 10 meteors per hour flying out of the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper) not far from the north star.
Weather: It is 38 degrees at 9:10 this morning. It certainly looks like today will be a repeat of yesterday, with
highs in the upper fifties, and lows near forty.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
red-tailed hawk, one male white-tailed deer,
two double-crested cormorants, one
raccoon,
several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 21, 2009
It is sunny on Kiawah this morning, but it is definitely cold! We aren't used to 33
degree mornings, at least not until January or February. But the
temperature should be near 60 today, which is good news for folks who
are out and about finishing up their holiday shopping.
Weather: It is 33 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
Though it is chilly outside, at least we have plenty of sunshine! Highs in the
upper fifties today, lows near forty.
Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end:
Four female and two male
white-tailed deer,
two
double-crested cormorants, one raccoon,
several
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 18, 2009 Week-end Edition
Kiawah is cloudy and rainy this morning.
After two days of glorious sunshine, Mother Nature has seen fit to
wallop us with showers. Hopefully you were able to get out & about
to enjoy the sun these past two days!
Week-end Weather: It is 55 degrees at 9:15 Friday morning.
Looks like a full day of showers, with the rest of the week-end nice and
dry. Highs Friday in the upper fifties, lows in the low forties, both with a 100% chance of rain.
Saturday's high should be in the low fifties, with lows near forty. The
high Sunday is supposed to be in the low fifties, the lows in the
mid-thirties. Brrrr...
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
bobcat,
two female and one male white-tailed deer,
three
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 17, 2009
It is sunny once again on Kiawah this morning.
Two days in a row! What will you do today to celebrate all this
glorious sunshine? Shoot a round of golf? Play a bit of tennis?
Or perhaps stroll on the beach?
Did you know? Today
at 10:35 a.m. is the anniversary of the first manned flight undertaken
by the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk, N.C.
Beau and Charlie get reacquainted Talk about the power of the
Internet! Frequent site visitors probably remember several posts
at the beginning of November about Charlie the cat. He had bolted
from his home, and could not be found. The people he owned, Jay &
Nancy Smith, made an appeal for anyone who might see him to please
contact them immediately. Thanks to the power of the Internet and kind
folks on the island, Charlie found his way home after surviving a month
in Kiawah's wilderness. What a story, and just in time for the
holidays!
Read all about it by
clicking here...
Weather: It is 45 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
That's even cooler than yesterday morning - what's up with that? Highs in the
upper fifties, lows in the upper forties with a 40% chance of showers.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One female
white-tailed deer,
three
yellow-rumped warblers,
several brown pelicans,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 16, 2009
Kiawah is <drum roll please...> SUNNY this morning!
Though it is far cooler than yesterday, the sun is out in full force.
Somehow that makes it easier to bear, don't you think?
Weather: It is 52 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
Temperatures will be dropping today, so don't wander off outside without
your sweater. Highs in the mid-fifties, lows near forty.
Yikes!
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
bobcat,
several brown pelicans,
two female white-tailed deer,
and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 15, 2009
If you look in the distance you can see patches of blue skies - what a pleasure! Kiawah is partly cloudy
this morning, and it appears that more rain is on the way. Let's
all enjoy the brief glimpses of sunshine while we can!
Unfortunately the cloudy skies the past two days made it impossible to view the Geminids meteor
shower. Drats!
Weather: It is 64 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
Despite the predicted rain, we should have a nice warm day! Highs today
in the low seventies, lows in the upper forties. There is a 70% chance of showers today and tonight.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
raccoon,
several brown pelicans,
one female white-tailed deer,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 14, 2009
It is overcast on Kiawah this morning, but at present the rain has stopped.
Astronomy 101: The Geminids meteor
shower is in town for one more night. This is a medium speed shower with 50-100 meteors per hour. The
best viewing time is from 1 to 3 a.m. So grab something warm to wear,
get comfortable in the lawn chair, and gaze directly overhead to catch
some of this meteor shower.
The "other" fall migration Bob Struble took this photo here
on Kiawah back in October. He calls it "The "other" fall
migration".
Weather: It is 55 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
Highs in the mid-sixties today with a 20% chance of rain. Lows tonight in the
upper fifties with a 70% chance.
Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: One
bobcat,
one
ladder-backed woodpecker, one
raccoon,
several brown pelicans,
three female and two male white-tailed deer,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 11, 2009 Week-end Edition
Kiawah is bright and cold but overcast this morning. Yesterday's forecast improved throughout the day so a trip
outside could still be in your plan. Our roving reporter claims the the
lows here should beat the highs up north by some twenty degrees.
Don't forget: Reservations are due today for the Holiday
Cookie Exchange on December 15th at the Sandcastle. For further
information or to make reservations, please contact the Sandcastle at
sandcastle@kica.us or 843-768-3875.
Happy Hannukah! Hanukkah begins at sundown tonight. Hanukkah is The
Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of the Maccabees and the
rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle
of the oil that burned for 8 days. If you would like to learn more,
click here.
Astronomy 101: Starting Sunday you can check out the Geminids meteor
shower. This is a medium speed shower with 50-100 meteors per hour. The
best viewing time is from 1 to 3 a.m. So grab something warm to wear,
get comfortable in the lawn chair, and gaze directly overhead to catch
some of this meteor shower.
Weather: It is 39 degrees at 9:15 this morning. Highs today in the low fifties. Lows tonight in the high thirties.
December 10, 2009
Kiawah is damp, chill and overcast this morning, everyone's favorite combination. A good day for baking or
making holiday gifts. Shopping may have to wait! Well, to revise that
slightly, it is cold to US. Some of our Northern cousins have already
received snow, so they probably don't think much of our "Kiawah cold"!
Weather: It is 54 degrees at 8:52 this morning. Some
rain in the cards, so take an umbrella just in case!
Highs today in the mid fifties with a 30% chance of rain. Lows tonight near
thirty four.
December 9, 2009
Kiawah is partly sunny this morning.
Light sprinkles are traveling across the island, and the temperature is
warm.
Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:15 this morning.
Some rain in the cards for today, so take the umbrella just in case!
Highs today in the mid seventies with a 30% chance of Thunderstorms. Lows tonight near
forty nine.
December 8, 2009
Kiawah is gray and overcast this morning. Light sprinkles are traveling across the island, and the temperature is
slightly warm. Looks like it is going to be a wet shopping day!
Holiday Cheer... Tonight is the 6th Annual Tree Lighting in
the lobby at The Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. Stop in to enjoy
refreshments and holiday cookies. Sing your favorite carols with
the Southern Harmony Chorus.
Weather: It is 54 degrees at 9:05 this morning.
Not much rain in the cards for today, but better take the umbrella just
in case! Highs today in the low sixties with a 20% chance of rain. Lows tonight near sixty with a
70% chance
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
bobcat,
two female
white-tailed
deer, one raccoon, several
brown pelicans, and dozens of
snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 7, 2009
It is sunny and cool on Kiawah this morning.
Though it is bright and beautiful this morning, it is a bit chilly!
Hopefully the sun should be around for most of the day, but all Kiawah
critters, humans included, will be wearing something extra warm!
Don't forget...
Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day,
dedicated as a day to remember those who died in the Japanese attack of
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor, in which
more than 2,400 Americans died, was the final push that convinced
Americans to join World War II.
Weather: It is 48 degrees at 9:00 this morning.
Though we currently have sunshine, the weather service says it will be
mostly cloudy today. Highs in the
mid-fifties with a 20% chance of rain. Lows tonight near fifty.
Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: Three
white
ibis, three female and two male
white-tailed
deer, several brown pelicans,
two Carolina wrens,
and dozens of
snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 4, 2009 Week-end Edition
Kiawah is cloudy and cool this morning, though there is no rain at present. It is fairly cold outside by Kiawah
standards - a mere 46 degrees at 9:00 a.m.! But a sweatshirt and hat
should take care of that for any brave souls who venture outside this
morning.
CREATE SOME HOLIDAY CHEER FOR WILDLIFE IN COLD WEATHER: With the rich bounty of the season surrounding
them, people are constantly reminded of the gracious plenty of the
holidays. But what of wildlife—will their holidays be merry? For a lot
of birds and some mammals, winter is a critical time, when mortality is
the highest through predation and the lack of food. Cold weather and its
deadly effect on insects, is the main reason many birds leave the state
and go south to find an area where insects are more active. Birds
staying in South Carolina year-round are mostly seed and berry eaters,
like cardinals, titmice, chickadees and mockingbirds, or predatory birds
that feed on rodents, birds and other small animals. Carolina wrens and
a few other species, which feed primarily on insects but remain here in
winter, are the exception. "Somehow Carolina wrens find enough insects
to survive during the cold months," the SC DNR says. "Wrens really have
to work at it when the temperature drops below freezing, but they search
bark and crevices and look under dead leaves and in spider webs trying
to pick up bugs." Some foods that people can put out to help wrens
through a hard winter include mealworms, crushed nuts, hanging suet and
peanut butter. For more information on helping wildlife, write Wildlife
Section, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, or call (803) 734-3886.
Internet users can learn more about wildlife by visiting the DNR Web
site at
www.dnr.sc.gov.
A Camera with a View? Linda Sample shares this lovely vista of the Kiawah River.
Week-end Weather: It is 46 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning.
Unfortunately our sunshine won't likely be around much this week-end. Highs
Friday in the upper fifties with a 20% chance of showers. Lows near fifty with a 90%
chance. Saturday's high should be in the mid-fifties with a 90%
chance of rain. Lows are supposed to be in the low forties with a
20% chance. It should warm up to the upper fifties Sunday,
with lows in the low forties. Brrr...
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
black vulture, three
white
ibis, two female white-tailed
deer, two Carolina wrens,
and dozens of snowy egrets
on Sea Marsh Drive.
December 3, 2009
The sun has returned to Kiawah this morning, which explains the shouts of joy heard far & wide upon everyone
waking up! Next were the moans after looking out our windows at
all the tree limbs and yard debris lying around after last night's
storm. But at least it is a nice day for yard work!
Weather: It is 58 degrees at 9:00 this morning.
We should have clear skies today, with plenty of sunshine. Highs in the
mid-sixties, lows near fifty.
Today's Kiawah Critter Count One
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