It is sunny and a little warmer on Kiawah this morning.

A Thanksgiving Poem

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn't sleep
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned -
The dark meat and white
But I fought the temptation
With all of my might.

Tossing and turning
With anticipation
The thought of a snack
Became infatuation.

So, I raced to the kitchen,
Flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge,
Full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey
And buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots,
Beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling
So plump and so round,
'Til all of a sudden,
I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling,
Floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding
And a handful of pie.

But, I managed to yell
As I soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all -
Pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy
Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious
May your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed!

- author unknown -

Week-end Weather: It is 50 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Be on the lookout for showers later today - work off that Thanksgiving meal early! Highs Friday in the low sixties, with a 20% chance of rain. Lows should be in the low fifties with a 90% chance.  Highs Saturday should be near sixty with a 70% chance of showers.  Lows Saturday night are supposed to be in the mid-fifties with a 90% chance of rain.  Sunday's high is also supposed to be near sixty, but with a near 100% chance of rain.  Lows should be in the upper forties with a 70% chance. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, one male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

Kiawah is sunny on this gorgeous Thanksgiving morning, yet another thing to be thankful for!

Your Thanksgiving Forecast, courtesy of Farmer's Almanac...

Turkey Dinner  Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

Steaming Turkey  During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy.

Bright Sun  A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.

Dark Cloud  Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops.

By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone!

Weather: It is 41 degrees at 9:00 this morning. What happened to our 53 from yesterday morning?  YIKES! Highs today in the low sixties.  Tonight's low should be in the upper forties. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One moorhen,  five yellow-bellied slider turtles, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, two male and four female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 26, 2008

Once again it is sunny on Kiawah.  It is much cooler than yesterday though, with a nearly 20 degree drop in temperature for this morning.  Brrrrr...  But if you are baking and cooking to prepare for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner, this weather is perfect!         

Weather: It is 35 degrees at 9:05 this morning. What happened to our 53 from yesterday morning?  YIKES! Today's high should be in the upper fifties.  Lows tonight in the mid-thirties.  **Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants...

Island News: "Our" boat has finally  left the beach.   Click here to view photos of the previously beached boat.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Two belted kingfishers, one moorhen,  three yellow-bellied slider turtles, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, one male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. 

November 25, 2008

Kiawah is sunny and windy this morning. The temperature is roughly 10 degrees warmer than recent mornings, so it feels wonderful outside.  We won't see much warmer temperatures today however, with highs near sixty.  Still, what a fabulous November day!       

May we play through? Ann Gridley found these two ibis at the River Course a couple of weeks ago. 

Weather: It is 53 degrees at 9:10 this morning. WOW!  That's a heat wave... Today's high should be near sixty.  Lows tonight in the mid-thirties.  **Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants...

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, five brown pelicans, two double-crested cormorants, one male and four female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive. 

November 24, 2008

It is sunny on Kiawah this morning, but still a bit cool. Warmer temperatures should be here today, so be sure to get outside and play!      

Weather: It is 44 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Though we should see sunshine all week-end, the temperatures won't exactly be warm! Highs today in the low sixties.  Tonight's low should be in the upper forties, but with a 50% chance of showers.

Island News: We still have that boat stranded on our  beach.  More folks have sent photos. Please click here to view them.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: one bobcat,roughly a dozen brown pelicans, four great blue herons, seven double-crested cormorants, three male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.  Heard but not seen: one screech owl

November 21, 2008 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is sunny but cool this morning.  The week-end should bring lots of sunshine, but not much warmth.  Guess it will be a good week-end for doing the Thanksgiving preparations!    

Week-end Weather: It is 44 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. Though we should see sunshine all week-end, the temperatures won't exactly be warm! Highs Friday in the low fifties, lows near thirty.  Saturday will be more of the same, with highs in the low fifties, and a low in the low thirties.  It will be slightly warmer on Sunday, with a high near sixty, and lows in the upper thirties.   

**Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants...

Island News: The island is abuzz with the boat stranded on the beach.  11/20/08 UPDATE: The Coast Guard attempted to refloat the boat Wednesday, but was unsuccessful. Additional attempts will be made, but it seems it will be on the beach for a while yet. All fuel has been pumped off, and there are no hazardous materials onboard., but please do NOT cross the yellow tape that blocks off the boat!  More folks have sent photos. Please click here to view them.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One screech owl, two great blue herons, two double-crested cormorants, one male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 20, 2008

Once again we have a sunny morning on Kiawah, and once again it is chilly.  You probably won't need your winter coat during the day, but watch out tonight!   

Great American Smokeout: Today is the Great American Smokeout! For more than 32 years on the third Thursday of November, the American Cancer Society has helped and inspired Americans to quit smoking. Click here to learn how you can quit!

Finger-licking good Or would that be nose licking good?  Kathy Heikes captured this young buck checking out the bushes in her front yard. 

Weather: It is 45 degrees at 9:00 this morning. It is warmer than recent days, but still not exactly toasty out there. Highs near low sixties, lows in the upper thirties.  Brrrr... 

**Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants tonight...

Island News: The island is abuzz with the boat stranded on the beach.  UPDATE: The Coast Guard attempted to refloat the boat Wednesday, but was unsuccessful. Additional attempts will be made, but it seems it will be on the beach for a while yet. All fuel has been pumped off, and there are no hazardous materials onboard., but please do NOT cross the yellow tape that blocks off the boat! 

Lots of folks have sent photos. Please click here to view them.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 19, 2008

Kiawah is sunny this morning, but it is cold! Apologies to the Northern folks reading this, but Kiawah is NOT typically this chilly in mere November.  We aren't used to seeing this until sometime in January.  Looks like it will last for the rest of the week too... Hope your winter coat is handy!     

Island News: The island is abuzz with the boat stranded on the beach.  It ran aground over the week-end, but should be removed today, or tomorrow at the latest.  Lots of folks have sent photos. Please click here to view them.

Weather: It is 34 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Holy cow Batman, it's cold outside! Highs near fifty today, lows in the mid-thirties.  Brrrr... 

**Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, three double-crested cormorants, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 18, 2008

It is sunny and breezy on Kiawah this morning. Put away the sweaters and drag out the coats, because baby it's cold outside!     

Island News: The island is abuzz with the boat stranded on the beach.  It ran aground over the week-end, but should be removed today, or tomorrow at the latest.  Lots of folks have sent photos. Please click here to view them.

Astronomy 101: Tonight is the end of the Leonids meteor shower for this year. The best viewing is between midnight & 2:00 a.m. So grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and face south to watch! If there are no clouds, you should be able to see 10 to 20 bright, slow fireball meteors per hour.

Weather: It is 45 degrees at 9:10 this morning. What did think yesterday?  Crisp cool fall weather?  Forget that!  How about winter? YIKES! Highs today in the upper forties, lows in the low thirties.  Brrrr... 

**Plant Watch **  Cover those delicate plants!

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One bald eagle, two white ibis, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, one male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 17, 2008

Kiawah is back to its normal sunny self this morning. After a serious drop in temperature yesterday, it looks to be cooler for the next few days at least.  Are you ready for it?     

Astronomy 101: Tonight and tomorrow the Leonids meteor shower will be in town. The best viewing is between midnight & 2:00 a.m. So grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and face south to watch! If there are no clouds, you should be able to see 10 to 20 bright, slow fireball meteors per hour.

Weather: It is 45 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Crisp cool fall weather has finally arrived!  Highs today in the low sixties. lows tonight in the mid-forties.  Brrrr... 

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: Two bald eagles,six white ibis, four great blue herons, one little blue heron, five double-crested cormorants, four male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 14, 2008 Week-end Edition

Once more we have cloudy skies on Kiawah, with a few sprinkles thrown in for good measure.  Be on the lookout for heavy fog creeping in as well.  Last night the fog was so thick on the beach that you couldn't see much past 10 feet in front of you!    Astronomy 101: Friday is the final night for viewing the North Taurids meteor shower. Here's hoping the showers clear so we can see it! The best viewing is between midnight & 2:00 a.m. So grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and face south to watch! If there are no clouds, you should be able to see 10 to 20 bright, slow fireball meteors per hour.

Osprey Marylynn Stubler shares this photo of two osprey at their nest. 

Week-end Weather: It is 69 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning. There is a good chance of rain today & Saturday, but things look to clear by Sunday.  Highs Friday in the low seventies with a 70% chance of showers. Lows Friday evening in the mid-sixties with an 80% chance.  The high Saturday should be in the low seventies with a 70% chance of rain.  Lows are supposed to be in the mid-forties.  Brrrr...  Last but not least, Sunday's high should be in the low sixties, with lows near forty.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.  Click here for a Q&A about the proposed land purchase.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, two Gulf Fritillary butterflies, three double-crested cormorants, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 13, 2008

Kiawah is gray and overcast, but warm.  The rain from last night rears its head every now and then, making the roads a bit slick.  Everyone be careful out there, OK?

Astronomy 101: The cloud cover and showers last night didn't make for very good viewing of the North Taurids meteor shower!  Luckily it continues...  Meteor showers are best viewed between midnight & 2:00 a.m. So grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and face south to watch! If there are no clouds, you should be able to see 10 to 20 bright, slow fireball meteors per hour.

Weather: It is 67 degrees at 9:10 this morning. It appears that we can expect rain throughout the day today.  Highs in the low seventies, lows in the low sixties, both with a 70% chance of showers.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.  Click here for a Q&A about the proposed land purchase.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One little blue heron, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, one male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 12, 2008

It was overcast on Kiawah when we awoke this morning, but the clouds have cleared.  Now we are seeing sunshine!

Astronomy 101: Beginning tonight, the North Taurids meteor shower will be here. Meteor showers are best viewed between midnight & 2:00 a.m. So grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and face south to watch! If there are no clouds, you should be able to see 10 to 20 bright, slow fireball meteors per hour.

Weather: It is 58 degrees at 9:10 this morning. We could receive showers later this afternoon, so like the Boy Scouts,  be prepared!  Highs today in the upper sixties with a 30% chance of rain. Tonight's low should be in the low sixties with a 70% chance.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One little blue heron. two great blue herons, four double-crested cormorants, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 11, 2008 Veteran's Day

Kiawah is sunny this morning, and slightly warmer than recent mornings.  Once again we have been blessed with a fabulous morning! The sun is shining, a dazzling ball of bright light in a sky of azure blue. The air is crisp and cool - Kiawah's version of fall weather is here! While the island does not celebrate fall with the orange and browns of the northern climes, it does have a distinct fall palette. The sweet grass and groundsel, goldenrod and marsh grass, all contribute their unique colors to the fall landscape. What colors have you noticed on Kiawah this fall?

Black-crowned night heron Bob Smith found this Black-crowned night heron in The Preserve.

Weather: It is 57 degrees at 9:05 this morning. More fabulous (though cool!) weather is on the way.  Highs today in the mid-sixties, lows tonight in the mid-fifties.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Three white ibis, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 10, 2008

It is sunny but chilly on Kiawah this morning.   It is a fine November morning!. The sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing. In other words, all is right on Kiawah...

There must have been a fish smorgasbord off Kiawah's coast yesterday. There were dolphins galore frolicking off shore. Some were very close - perhaps a dozen yards from the beach - while others were off in the distance. They were gliding through the waves, occasionally seeming to body surf a curl on their way to snatching a tasty morsel. Have you seen any dolphins lately?

Weather: It is 52 degrees at 9:05 this morning. We should have another glorious day on the island!  Highs today in the upper sixties, lows tonight in the upper forties.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: three great blue herons, two double-crested cormorants, five male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.  

November 7, 2008 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is cool and sunny this morning.  No rain is in our forecast for the week-end, so be sure to get outside and play!

Island News #1: Voting results for Kiawah and Seabrook are available by clicking here.

Island News #2: The genealogy workshop at the Sandcastle yesterday was quite well-attended.  More than 50 people learned from Brenda Larsen as she provided tips for getting started with tracing your family history.  Thanks Brenda!

Week-end Weather: It is 62 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning. A glorious day is on the way! Highs Friday in the mid-seventies, lows near sixty. Low seventies should be the order of the day Saturday, with lows in the low fifties.  Sunday is supposed to bring us highs in the upper sixties and lows in the upper forties.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, one corn snake, three double-crested cormorants, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 6, 2008

It is cool again on Kiawah this morning, but lovely and sunny.  

Did you know? Beginning last Thursday, November 1st, dogs are allowed off their leash while on the beach. Owners please remember that your pet still must be under voice command, not be in the dunes, not disturb other wildlife, or enter into the posted restricted bird areas. Please remember to use “Mutt Mitts” that are supplied at boardwalks located along the beach! 

Weather: It is 60 degrees at 9:10 this morning. No rain is in the forecast for today! Highs in the low seventies, lows in the mid-fifties.

KICA News:  Click here for information about the upcoming member referendum.   The referendum is being held regarding KICA's Strategic Plan.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count Two great blue herons, two double-crested cormorants, three white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 5, 2008

Kiawah is cool this morning, and just a bit rainy.  But save your outdoor activities for later in the day, because the rain is supposed to clear out this afternoon.

Did you know? Beginning last Thursday, November 1st, dogs are allowed off their leash while on the beach. Owners please remember that your pet still must be under voice command, not be in the dunes, not disturb other wildlife, or enter into the posted restricted bird areas. Please remember to use “Mutt Mitts” that are supplied at boardwalks located along the beach! 

Sunrise on Kiawah Joe Zambito, a former Kiawah resident who now lives in Texas, shared this photo that he calls "Jurassic Park". 

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 8:50 this morning. We have drizzles right now, but the rain is supposed to clear by this afternoon. Highs today in the upper sixties, lows tonight in the mid-fifties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, three male, one female, and one baby white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

November 4, 2008 - Election Day

It is cool on Kiawah this morning, with scattered drizzles here & there. The weather isn't so great for standing in line to vote, but that's no excuse!  Get out there and do your duty as a citizen and VOTE!

--"The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men." — Lyndon Johnson

--"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." — Franklin D. Roosevelt 

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 8:50 this morning. We will most likely see rain today.  Highs in the upper sixties with a 40% chance of showers. Lows tonight in the upper fifties with a 20% chance.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One belted kingfisher, one great blue heron, one double-crested cormorant, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.  

November 3, 2008

Kiawah is cool and a bit rainy this morning. It will be nice weather for ducks today, but not so nice for we humans.  Hope you have an umbrella handy! 

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 8:50 this morning. Sadly rain is in the forecast for most of the day.  Highs today in the mid-sixties, lows in the low sixties. There is nearly a 100% chance of showers today and tonight.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count: Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: two bobcats, one belted kingfisher, two American alligators, several; Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one great blue heron, two double-crested cormorants, three male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.