Serendipity and Swamplands

 

During our visit to the Florida panhandle, we found that some of the birding trails and boardwalks to view wildlife had been damaged in the hurricane last October, so we decided to cut our visit short by a day.  So, we hit the road and ended up at Jekyll Island, Georgia, for a night.  What a pleasant surprise!  Before entering the island, we noticed miles upon miles of wetlands which serve as valuable real estate for fish nurseries and promote a healthy environment for wildlife.  As we entered the island, the first impression was huge live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.  The island has a few hotels but is mostly residential.  It seems to be one of the few resort islands that have not been over commercialized, which makes it much more appealing to us.  There is a historic district which features “cottages of the industrial scions of the early 1900’s.  There are miles of lovely beaches that are uncrowded, including one beach with photogenic driftwood.  We were glad to have made this serendipitous detour!

 

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

 

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Abstract Patterns in the Sand



"Cottage", Historic District, Jekyll Island

Live Oaks with Spanish Moss

 

Back on the itinerary, next stop was the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge is a huge area of swamplands, waters, and upland forests.  We spent two days here taking the wildlife drive, walking the boardwalk over the swamp and boating through the canals and shallow water.  There was wildlife, but due to the vast expanse of area, most of the birds were too far away to photograph.  We saw them flying, however—one large flock of sandhill cranes flew overhead squawking and screaming.  We were able to find some hawks and a few tree birds closer.  The closest sightings of wildlife were alligators and turtles which ambled out of the water and mostly lay inert on the surface of the banks.

Canal, Okefenokee Swamp

 

Red-shouldered Hawk

 

Gator

 

Blue Corporal dragonfly

Belted Kingfisher

Spiderwort

 The swamp is mostly uninhabited, but there are remains of a homestead from the early 1900’s.  The family had to keep the yard swept clean of brush and grass with only a sandy surface so that the children would be able to see and avoid any of the 5 venomous snake species in the area. We never saw even one snake.  Our guide mentioned that it’s not easy to see snakes.  The hawks and other birds eat them, so that it’s more likely to see a snake flying through the air in a bird’s mouth than on the ground in the swamp.

 

 

Damaged Home, Mexico Beach 

Beautiful Beaches/Toppled Towns

 

After spending three weeks traveling through 17 states and visiting family and friends in 7 of those states, we recently entered the 18^th state on our winter break—Florida, for some fun and sun.  We are currently staying in Apalachicola, the ‘Oyster Capital of the World’.  We’re not sure if that claim is still valid, however, since the oyster industry has been degraded in the last several years by approximately 85%. Decades of water wars with Georgia has lowered levels and increased Apalachicola bay’s salinity.  Climate change has brought more storms, including Hurricane Michael, and the Apalachicola river has fallen victim to oil spills and sewage.  Tomorrow, we are visiting the Estaurine Research Center, so we will likely have a better idea of the current status of the oyster industry.

In the meantime, today we spent a sobering morning viewing the devastation that Hurricane Michael wrought in and around Mexico Beach this past October. It was the most intense hurricane ever recorded, the most intense hurricane to hit the United States, the most expensive and deadly hurricane ever, and the largest hurricane in diameter.  The first hint of destruction was the trees.  Millions of them, mostly pine trees, were either all bent in the same direction or snapped off at the same level.  Some were bent or snapped north to south, others east to west, and the rest south to north.  It all depended on which direction the cyclonic winds hit them. 

After seeing the tree damage, we soon started passing through small towns where many homes were draped with those ubiquitous blue tarps while waiting for new roofs.  Piles of debris from homes and trees were piled up near the streets hoping to be collected by the authorities.

The ultimate in destruction, however, was in Mexico Beach and the area surrounding it, including Tyndall AFB.  Words are hard to come by when you see peoples’ homes destroyed and their lives turned upside down.  It’s only been about 4 months since the hurricane.  Many dwellings are still in their post hurricane state waiting for insurance claims to be processed and for demolition and rebuilding to take place.  We decided to take photos so that we could share with you our observations.  As a final footnote, the worst damage appears to be with dwellings either on the barrier islands or very close to the beach.  Why oh why are people still building homes in these precarious locations?    

Trees Snapped off in the Wind

Debris Blown by the Wind from Homes

Destroyed Gas Station

One House is Missing, Mexico Beach

The Rubble was Once a House, Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach



There used to be Homes on these Stilts

Mexico Beach

Beautiful White Sand Beach 

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach

Electrical Appliances on the Curb Waiting for Pick-up

Steps and Deck with No House



Car Damaged in Storm, Sign on it Says "Do Not Move"