This past weekend I hiked a 7.5-mile stretch of undeveloped beach on Bulls Island, one of South Carolina’s barrier islands that has been designated as a National Wildlife Refuge. South Carolina may be know for its college football, comfort food and civil war history, but Bulls Island and the surrounding inter costal really shows how rich the state is in natural resources.
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
-Aristole
On the ferry ride over to the island, we saw a Bald Eagle perched stoically on a dead tree. Looking at its sheer size and the dangerously curved beak through the binoculars, I can only describe the bird as fierce. This is in contrast to the tall, black and white Wood Storks we viewed along the edges of the Spartina grass. Nature’s diversity is incredible.
Walking along the beach, I felt no less disappointed. Tucked up in the dunes, we could see loggerhead turtle nests marked by conservation volunteers.The eggs deepin the sand were protected above by chicken wire to keep out Raccoons and other predators. Viewing the nests though couldn’t compare to seeing an actual baby turtle. This little guy was clearly a fighter, but given the insane odds of survival, he’ll have to be a relentless one.
Farther down the beach, we entered into the oft-photographed Boneyard of Bulls Island. Bare, whitewashed trees mysteriously seem to rise out of the water, and fallen-over trees scattered across the beach lie in small tidal pools. The sight is surreal, haunting even.
But, our final treat before getting back onto the ferry was being able to watch a pod of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins hunting just a short distance out in the water. From the shore, we could see them swimming around in a tighter and tighter circle with Brown Pelicans and Seagulls flying expectantly overhead. Then, all of a sudden there would be a loud thump and whoosh and fish would go flying. Over and over again the dolphins performed this series of steps, first, forming the fish into a compact bait ball before a single dolphin slapped the ball with its tail stunning the prey.
Special thanks to Coastal Expeditions and Bob Raynor!