(Tide listing for Charleston, SC)
Low Tide: 10:33 AM EST (0.4 ft)
High Tide: 3:02 PM EST (5.3 ft)
Sunrise: 6:13 AM
Sunrise: 6:13 AM
Sunset: 8:31 PM
Water Temp: 85F
Water Temp: 85F
Sunday June 26, 2011 - Shem Creek Trip
This trip started out at the boat ramp at Nature Adventures Outfitters on Shem Creek and extended into the Charleston harbor before returning to the starting point for takeout. This was our granddaughter Brooklyne's first kayak trip!! She loves the water and was very excited about the adventure. We reached Shem Creek at low tide and Nature Adventures Outfitters was very busy. They had a group leaving at 9AM and another at 9:30.
Since we didn't check their schedule before leaving home, we had a short wait we arrived at 9AM. We left the landing after the first group had cleared the landing. We took our 2 sit-on-top kayaks for this trip. The launch went well and we paddled out toward the Charleston harbor with Brooklyne helping out in Deanna's kayak.
It was a hot day with the temperatures already in the high 80s at 10AM. Our early start was a great idea and the skies were clear as we paddled out Shem Creek. Almost immediately we paddled up to an empty dock with 2 large pelicans sitting atop the poles there. Brooklyne loved the pelicans and it was a great start to her first yakking experience. We continued on by the shrimp and fishing vessels that were docked along Shem Creek. The wind was not a factor that day. We reached the Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary alone, but the beach was off limits to humans.
It is a nesting area for many birds in the area and there were very young birds of many species along with their avian parents. The beach on the little island was packed with birds. It was a noisy place and the birds seemed to know that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources had established a sanctuary that humans could not violate. As we approached the beach the birds hardly took notice of us at all. There were many baby birds with peach fuzz for feathers, including baby pelicans. The parents were fishing nearby and bring back their catch to feed their young. Brooklyne was in awe of all of the activity surrounding Crab Bank. At the end of this blog is a 2 minute video of some of the activity here.
After we watched the birds for a bit, Deanna and Brooklyne shouted "Dolphins!!" and padded off away from the island. There was a pair of dolphins that came right up beside their boat. I did have the camera out, so I took a little time to get it together. I watched the dolphin swim around them, but I didn't get a picture until after the dolphins moved over a bit.
Some other kaykers came up to join in the dolphin watching. After observing the dolphins for awhile, we took the time to enjoy a chocolate treat that Deanna had brought along. Brooklyne loved the treat and she had a bit of chocolate on her face as a testament to the chocolate goodness.
It was another excellent day on the water at Shem Creek and Brooklyne loved her initial kayaking experience! We rested for awhile under the bridge to await another group of kayakers preparing to launch from the ramp.
This is the video of the birds on Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary!
