Southern Tides December 2022

Southern T ides

all about the water

Crew

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Neva Parsons neva@southerntidesmagazine.com

CONSULTING NATURALIST

John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu

THE BITTER END COLUMNIST

Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com

THE RIVERKEEPER REPORT Meaghan Gerard meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

FISHING WITH CAPTAIN JAY

Captain Jay Cranford gacharterfishing@gmail.com

Contributors

Amanda Gregory Photographer

Nick Riccio, Jr. Wildlife Photographer

Copyright © 2015-2022

All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission.

Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, Ga., to Beaufort, S.C. (912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com www.SouthernTidesMagazine.com Visit us on social media: www.issuu.com/SouthernTidesMagazine.com Facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine

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Reader Photos: To submit you photos, visit www.flickr.com/groups/ southerntides/ Three will be selected each month.

Image credits

Top: Big Daddy Don's Fat Flat Fish

Center: Trigger fish painting by Abigail Paik, Georgia 4th-6th grade div. winner

Bottom: Sea star regrowing its leg.

About the Cover: Corny? Maybe. But festive! This sea star was found on Wassaw Island. To learn more about these seagoing creatures see page 21. Merry Christmas!

Photo by Amy Thurman

Ilove the fact that regardless of how challenging any given year has been, it’s always finished off with the holidays – a time filled with the warmth of love and friendship, of giving and doing for others, and of paying more attention to the people and things that really matter.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, we’ve put together a fun issue this month.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Encouraging creativity in kids not only gets them to look up from their devices, but also makes learning fun, and let’s face it, the world needs more beauty. There are two art contests open for kids (details on page 15), both focused on nature. Get your kids or grands involved!

One thing many of us do when walking down the docks is look at boat names, and boat owners put a lot of thought into choosing just the right name for their vessel. Sometimes choosing a play on words, a word or phrase that defines their lives or goals, sometimes pertaining to their profession, sometimes after a special person in their lives. On page 17 is the BoatUS Top 10 boat names of 2022. Is yours on it? If you have a unique or special name for your boat, send it to us and maybe we’ll feature it in an upcoming photo spread on boat names!

In keeping with our festive theme, we’ve chosen sea stars for our Did You Know? topic this month. Learn more about the sea creature formerly known as starfish on page 21, compiled by our lovely assistant editor, Neva.

We’ve once again run the “Season of Giving” list on page 12. Yes, I know we run it every December, but even if you’ve read it before, please read it again and consider supporting one or more of the charities listed there – through funds, or by giving your time and energy. A donation in their name is a great gift for the person who has everything, and let’s face it, giving just feels good.

On page 13, we’ve created a new holiday word search and a list of stocking stuffers in case you needed ideas.

Gator reflects on 2022 and shares an important message for us all in The Bitter End on page 22.

And let’s not forget Captain Jay, who shares some cool fish finding technology on page 9 – here’s hoping you coastal

fisherman are on Santa’s nice list!

But probably my favorite page in this issue is the recipe for Big Daddy Don’s Fat Flat Fish on page 11. Some years ago, when Jamee and Don had Bowie Seafood market out on Tybee, they asked me to join them for dinner one evening. They’d caught a doormat of a flounder and Don was fixing his stuffed flounder recipe. It was entertaining watching them prepare it, but that had nothing on the taste!

When I was looking for a recipe for this issue, I asked Jamee if I could run that. She did one better and invited me for dinner the next night. They’d gone gigging and gotten a big one and this would give me a great opportunity to get photos. Not only that, but they’re dear friends and with our busy lives we don’t see nearly enough of each other, so this was perfect.

We had a blast catching up while they cooked and I took pictures. And to top it off, the meal was delish!

It’s also perfect for holiday gatherings and can be made with flounder of any size. Many thanks to Don and Jamee, not only for the recipe, but for the memories and friendship – love ya’ both!

I hope all of you have a beautiful and festive holiday season and that you take time for what’s important. Merry Christmas!

See you out there!

Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

My friend Don crum preparing his "Big Daddy Don's Fat Flat Fish" recipe one evening a few weeks ago. Great times with great friends!

If you've been fishing on a boat, you've probably used some type of electronics, whether it was the old depth finders and fish finders or the newer chartplotters and sonar. Anglers have always been curious about what's under their boats and sonar has played a big role in that discovery. Whether you're fishing channel edges, flats or deep-water structure it's always nice to know what will be holding the bait, therefore increasing your odds and giving you a better chance of catching fish.

The latest technology

Garmin's new LiveScope sonar technology is the most unique and innovative sonar on the water, giving you the ability to see structure, bait, any fish swimming and see it all live and in real time. The detail is simply amazing!

Old style sonars allowed you see what you'd already gone over in your boat but this new technology lets you see in front of you, to the side and below your boat. It will even show you 3D images of fish and structure around your boat. It's quite impressive!

Over the last few years, anglers with this forwardfacing sonar have unlocked the mystery of what was ahead. Whether it's locating structure, finding bait or actually seeing fish suspended in the water column, with this detailed technology you no longer need to just follow birds or bait with your eyes, it’s possible to see and track fish on the screen better than ever. It's without a doubt the best available when it comes to getting the most out of areas where traditional sonar doesn’t quite do the trick. There are certain Garmin models that are “Panoptix compatible" so please do your research before you purchase.

Just because the fish are there that doesn't mean they're going to bite, but what's so amazing about this technology is that you can actually see your lure in front of the fish to watch the reaction (or lack thereof). If your presentation isn't what the fish wants, simply change your lure, lure color or presentation. And even then some fish won't bite. A lot of fish will also strike your lure, not out of hunger, but out of instinct. A single fish may follow your bait but never strike it, but if you get a few fish interested, one of them will usually give in to the temptation.

Getting the most out of your fishing time often means getting the most out of your electronics. The traditional way of watching birds goes a long way, and it can be a great instantaneous indicator of bait and fish location, but there are plenty of fish to be caught without being right on diving birds.

Is the expense worth the return?

Traditional sonars were costly and the new tech is even more expensive. If you spend a lot of time searching and trying to get

Fishing Captain Jay WITH

NEW TECHNOLOGY

By Captain Jay Cranford www.coastalgafishing.com

a bite when you're not even sure fish are in an area, this will cut down your search time exponentially.

For our chartplotter and screen we chose the Garmin 1026sv and paired it with the LiveScope GLS 10 and the LVS34 transducer. The 34 seems to have better separation and clarity and has a range of up to 200 feet.

If you purchase this technology, be prepared to spend time learning it. You'll be able to identify fish, even the types and sizes, when you get your settings dialed in properly.

The best way to learn your LiveScope is to get out and use it. There’s nothing better than time spent actually pushing the buttons and spending quality time on the water. It's really exciting technology and gives you something to look forward to. It's also a great way to locate bait if you're into catching your own. Most anglers look for better ways of locating and catching fish and this is just another tool to have in your arsenal.

We're excited to use the new Garmin technology and to share our experiences and what we learn with others. It adds another element of excitement and increases your knowledge of fish behavior and then in turn hopefully you will catch more fish!

Please, be good stewards of our waters; don't litter and only keep what you plan to eat. There will be more opportunities the next time you go.

Don't wish ... let's go fish!

gacharterfishing@gmail.com • www.coastalgafishing.com/

Captain Jay has over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia coast. He's passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with you!

Photo provided by Garmin

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

• Carefully cut flounder down middle and filet sides open. Do your best to remove skeleton.

Step 2

• Lay open the sides, lightly coat meat with olive oil, then sprinkle fish with all seasonings.

• Mix crab cake mix with shrimp, crab, scallops, vegetables, and just enough mayo to hold it all together.

• Add pats of butter on top of stuffing.

• Sprinkle whole thing with seasonings.

Step 3

• Close sides over top of stuffing.

• Use a sharp knife to score skin.

• Sprinkle top with more seasoning.

Taste of the Tides

Big Daddy Don's Fat Flat Fish

Toss your diet out the window this holiday season and enjoy this delicious stuffed flounder recipe by Don Crum and Jamee Barnard, of Liberty County.

INGREDIENTS

Whole, cleaned flounder Wild Georgia shrimp, peeled, chopped Blue crab meat

Scallops, sliced thin (optional) Crab cake mix

Celery & onion, finely diced & sautéed Mayonnaise Olive oil

Uncle Chris' Gourmet Steak Seasoning Butter

Old Bay Seasoning

Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning Zatarains Blackened Seasoning Garlic Powder

Step 4

• Coat seasoned cast iron pan with olive oil.

• Carefully transfer fish to cast iron pan.

• Place pan on main rack of grill (preheated to medium heat).

• Close grill and cook for 30-40 minutes until fish is flaky.

A Season of Giving

"Make a career of humanity … It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

This holiday season, consider going beyond material gifts. Volunteering your time to a cause dear to your heart is a rewarding experience. If you simply can't fit it into your schedule, a gift of money will help fund the organizations on this page in their efforts to make our world a better place.

If you're struggling with what to give that hard-toshop-for person on your list, consider a membership, pledge, or "adoption" in their name.

ANIMALS

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

~ Anatole France, 1844 - 1924, French poet, journalist and novelist

Nothing evokes the warm-and-fuzzies quite like animals, both the pets who are members of our families, and the wild creatures that inhabit our coast (and beyond). Consider volunteering, donating or adopting!

Pet Rescue:

Coastal Pet Rescue - coastalpetrescue.org

Humane Society - search online for your nearest branch One Love Animal Rescue - oneloveanimalrescue.com

Note: Even if you're looking for a specific breed, you can still rescue an animal in need by searching for rescues dedicated to that breed.

Wildlife: Coastal Conservation Association - ccaga.org

Georgia Sea Turtle Center - gstc.jekyllisland.com/ Oatland Island Wildlife Center - www.friendsofoatland.org/ The Dolphin Project - thedolphinproject.org Your nearest sea turtle project - seaturtle.org

NATURE

" There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more."

~ Lord Byron, 1788 - 1824, English poet and politician

We live in the most beautiful place on earth. Our marshes and waterways are among the last remaining pristine areas of our nation’s coast, largely due to groups like this that work hard to protect it.

Altamaha Riverkeeper - altamahariverkeeper.org Clean Coast - cleancoast.org

Georgia Natural Resources Foundation - gnrf.org Gray’s Reef Foundation - graysreeffoundation.org

Ogeechee Riverkeeper - ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

One Hundred Miles - onehundredmiles.org

Ossabaw Island Foundation - ossabawisland.org

Satilla Riverkeeper - satillariverkeeper.org

Savannah Riverkeeper - savannahriverkeeper.org

St. Mary’s Riverkeeper - stmarysriverkeeper.org

Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers - tybeecleanbeach.simpl.com

PEOPLE

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."

~ Albert Pike, 1809 - 1891, American writer, attorney, soldier, and Freemason

If you’d rather help out your fellow humans, consider one of these organizations.

Abilities Unlimited, Inc. - facebook.com/AbilitiesUnlimitedInc American Red Cross - redcross.org

CASA - casaforchildren.org

Disabled American Vets - dav.org

Fishin’ For Jamie - facebook.com/Fishin-For-Jamie

Second Harvest Food Bank - nwpafoodbank.org

Southeastern Guide Dogs - savannahpuppyraisers@gmail.com Team Rubicon - teamrubiconusa.org/tides

Want to help a Vet? Here's a great list of more options: militarybenefits.info/how-to-help-veterans-during-the-holidays/

KNOWLEDGE

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”

~ Albert Einstein, 1879 - 1955, German-born physicist

These organizations strive to educate our communities about our amazing coastal region.

Coastal Wildscapes - coastalwildscapes.org

Savannah State University Marine Sciences Department Ships of the Sea Museum - www.shipsofthesea.org/ Tybee Island Marine Science Center - tybeemarinescience.org UGA Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant - marex.uga.edu

Word List

Angels Boat Parade Bow Candy Carol of the Bells Christmas Tree Worms Coal Deck the Palms Eggnog Elves Gifts Good Tidings Heavenly Holy Holly Hot Buttered Rum Icicle Lights Jesus Jingle Bells Jolly Old St. Nick

Joy to the World Merry Christmas Mistletoe Nativity Noel North Star Oh Holy Night Oyster Roast Peace Peppermint Shrimp Pine Cones Port and Starboard Red and Green Santa Sea Stars Seas N Greetings Snow Stockings Wreath Yaupon Holly

Stocking Stuffer Ideas Sure, you could go to the drugstore and load up on candy, but why not mix in a few fun items too?

Ball cap or visor Bottle or can coozie Bottle opener in a unique design Compass Filet knife

Fishing lures

Gift cards from Southern Tides Advertisers! Hand warmers

Jerky – beef, venison, gator Key float Lip balm

Metal or paper straws Mini bottles of favorite liquor Oyster gloves

Oyster knife (hand carved) Pocket knife or multi-tool

Propane tank gauge Southern Tides Subscription! Sunglass croakies Sunscreen (yes, even in winter) Ear muffs or warm hat Waterproof gear bag Waterproof phone case Wine bottle stopper

Happy New Year!

Art Contests for Kids:

Fish Art Wildlife Poster

The 25th Anniversary Fish Art Contest is now officially underway. Using art and writing, the Georgia Fish Art Contest (part of the international Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest) can ignite children’s imagination and inspire them to discover more about fish and fishing. The program is free to enter and open to youth in kindergarten through grade 12 anywhere in the world.

To enter, participants select a fish species of their choice and create an original, hand-drawn illustration. Participants 4th grade and older will also submit a brief piece of creative writing or an essay pertaining to their chosen species to showcase what they have learned. Contestants can win prizes such as Bass Pro Shops gift cards, merchandise from sponsors, and international recognition.

Take note, there are also many additional specialty award categories for 2023, including the Guy Harvey Shark Award, the Invader Crusader Award and the Go Fish Georgia Award. These additional contest opportunities may have different species and/or entry requirements. For example, the Go Fish Georgia Award celebrates fish species commonly sought by Georgia anglers. More info about award categories and all requirement details found at FishArt.org.

All Georgia contestants must complete the Georgiaspecific entry form (WildlifeForever.org/home/fish-art/ fish-entry-forms/georgia-entry-forms/). Entries are due by Feb. 28, 2023, and can be submitted digitally or by mail to Marion Baker/Go Fish Education Center (1255 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069).

Teachers and students across the state are invited to celebrate wildlife through art by participating in the 33rd annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.

The goal of this competition for grades K-5 is to generate knowledge of and appreciation for Georgia’s biological diversity. The contest is sponsored by the Georgia DNR, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network (TERN), friends group of DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section.

The 2022-2023 theme – Wildlife Tales: True or False? –highlights amazing facts about wildlife as well as commonly held myths. Some untruths are relatively harmless while others may cause unnecessary fear or prompt harmful behavior. Students are encouraged to brainstorm interesting things about wildlife they’ve heard or read about, and consider if they’re true or not. If unsure, research may be required.

As inspiration for their artwork, students can observe birds and other wildlife in their backyard or schoolyard. Even if neighborhood greenspace is scarce, there’s always a world of insects and plants that can be found nearby. City, county and state parks are great places to discover nature, too.

After creating artwork based on this year’s theme and according to contest rules, participants will enter their drawings and paintings at the local school level. Top schoollevel entries then proceed to the state contest at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. First-, secondand third-place winners will be chosen for four divisions: kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth grade. The deadline for schools to submit digital photos of state-level entries is April 7, 2023.

For contest rules, awards, entry forms and other information, visit georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest.

Above: 2021 first place winner in the 5th grade diivision. By Alfonzo Mitchell Right: 2021 Georgia first place winner in the 7th - 9th grade division. By Alexandra Huynh

Top 10 Boat Names of 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, BoatUS takes a look back at the Top 10 boat names ordered this season through its online boat graphics service and provides some commentary.

1. Andiamo

Meaning “let’s go / we go / come on” in Italian, Andiamo remains in the No. 1 spot from last year’s list. It’s also a happy refrain heard from the person behind the helm as they put the throttle down and head to open waters.

2. Osprey

According to BoatUS, anglers have a fondness for naming their fishing boats Osprey, a bird of prey that dives into the water with gusto to catch its dinner.

6. Second Wind

Is this boat named for a new chapter in life or achievement? A comeback? A new strength? We’ll never know for sure, but gosh is it perennially popular.

7. Adventure

This year marked the premiere of Osprey, having never before made the top 10. In a unique twist, Osprey bumped last year’s No. 2 boat name, Social Distancing, completely off the list. ‘Nuff said, right?

3. Serenity

Photo provided by BoatUS

8. Knot on Call

This No. 3 name is so popular it has made the top 10 seven times since 2010, tying the record with Second Wind. Yep, you guessed it – both are popular with sailboat owners.

4. Encore

Also a newcomer to the top 10 this year, Encore may be the boat name of choice for an entertainer. Or, it could indicate the “next” boat – either satisfying the 3-foot-itis or scaling down, or maybe even coming back to boat owning after a hiatus.

5. Zephyr

Last appearing on the top 10 in 2010, sailors will welcome this reference to a gentle breeze back to the list.

A boat with this name is usually out of the slip every weekend putting miles of water under the keel.

This boat name serves as a notice that on-the-water time can’t be tampered with. Of unique importance, the owner of this boat can silence their cellphone ring in just under two seconds.

9. Shenanigans

Quit fooling around. Shenanigans are a part of every boating culture.

10. Grace

In its fourth appearance on the top 10 boat names list since 2010, Grace likely holds deep meaning for vessels with beautiful lines or for those that navigate with finesse. This is the one boat in the marina that also makes docking look easy.

To view popular boat names of years past, visit: boatus.com/boatnames

Contributed by BoatUS

Introducing: Blue Flag

Blue Flag is an international eco-award program recognizing sustainable beach, marina, and tourism boat management decisions. Operating in 50 countries, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. With over 5000 sites, Blue Flag is one of the most recognizable voluntary ecoawards. The program promotes sustainable development through environmental education at the individual, local, national, and international levels.

Blue Flag also offers individual boat owners the opportunity to participate in the program and support sustainable boating actions by signing an environmental code of conduct. Individual boat owners include private recreational boats. Tour boats, charters, and educational boats qualify for the tourism boat award. For more information on all boating awards visit the USA program website: blueflag.us/join-blue-flag/boats/.

The environmental code of conduct covers boating actions such as, not littering or dumping waste into coastal waters; reporting pollution or other environmental violations; respecting fishing regulations and seasonal limits; not purchasing or using items from or made from protected species or underwater archeological findings. You can sign up with the Blue Flag USA national operator at blueflag.us/ individual-boat-owner-code-of-conduct/.

The Blue Flag eco-award is one of five environmental education programs offered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The award is offered to beaches, marinas, and tourism boats meeting over 30 criteria for water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and services, sustainable tourism, and social responsibility. The Blue Flag USA program currently operates the beach award and individual boat owner award. We are undergoing feasibility phases for marina and tourism boat awards. For more information, please email: blueflagusa@asbpa.org.

THE Riverkeeper Report

S avannah Riverkeeper hosted a busy and productive event on Nov. 19. The Levee Course and Lake Olmstead. Students from Augusta University and local residents came together to do a cleanup on the 12 acres of property, and put in tee boxes for the disc golf course. We are so appreciative of all the incredible help! Keep up with various ways to volunteer, especially during the holidays by visiting www.savannahriverkeeper.org.

Compiled by Meaghan Gerard Communications & Administrative Director

Ogeechee Riverkeeper meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

I n 2022, the Satilla Riverkeeper continued working on the Noyes Cut Restoration Project which will restore over 4,500+ acres of salt marsh in the Satilla River estuary. Expected benefits of this project include improved habitats for local and migratory species including shrimp, blue crabs, striped bass, and many more. Improved small boat navigation in areas of Dover Creek and Umbrella Creek that have experienced increasing sedimentation and restricted access over the past century are also an expected benefit! www.satillariverkeeper.org

O geechee Riverkeeper welcomes its 2023 research fellow, Molly McKeon. McKeon is a graduate student at Georgia Southern University (Statesboro campus), pursuing a master’s degree in biology. She works in

T hanks to the dedication of our fellow conservationists, the public comment period for the Cumberland Island Visitor Use Management Plan has been extended until the end of the year giving us all plenty of time to work through the 350-page plan. Some of the proposed changes include: Increasing daily visitors to 700+; adding pavilions & restrooms; adding campsites; increasing recreational boat access; opening administrative roads to bicycles and e-bikes; an on-island retail store; kayak or canoe rentals; and more. Submit comments at wildcumberland.org or contact www.stmarysriverkeeper.org/

A ltamaha Riverkeeper mourns the loss of James Holland, the first riverkeeper for the waterway. He was 81. Holland served as the first executive director of Altamaha Riverkeeper, from 2000 to 2010. “In the end, what we do as humans will be the deciding factor about whether our marshes will or will not recover,” Holland wrote in a 2016 letter to the editor of The Brunswick News. “James leaves behind a legacy of standing up to those in power who place profits over our natural resources,” Fletcher Sams, current riverkeeper, said. “The torch he lit decades ago still burns bright.”

www.facebook.com/AltamahaRiverkeeper

the lab of Dr. Checo Colón-Gaud. She will be conducting significant sampling and testing, watching for potential issues from the closure of Milliken’s Longleaf facility and the rapid expansion surrounding the Hyundai plant in Bryan County. “Monitoring these sites particularly will help contrast and compare how the upstream site will compare with these two downstream sites and the health of the river,” McKeon says.

www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

The biggest week for boating safety is Standards Week, January 9-13, 2023, in New Orleans, LA. The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), a non-profit, member organization that develops voluntary safety standards for the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of recreational boats, will meet to discuss the standards being revised or newly considered for development in 2023, and how these standards may affect the future of boating. Over the course of each year, more than 400 marine professionals volunteer to continuously research, develop, and revise the ABYC standards to ensure they reflect the needs of the marine industry. Many of those people join other members of the industry at Standards Week for meetings, regional trainings, a large reception, and a certification course. To learn more, please visit www.abycstandardsweek.com ABYC also offers live, instructor-led online certification courses. Upcoming courses include:

Marine Systems Certification: Feb 7 - Feb 23 (3 days/week for 3 weeks, 9:00am – 10:30am ET each day)

Did You Know?

Sea stars are echinoderms (which means “spiny skin”), and also known as asteroids because of their membership in the class Asteroidea.

Quick Facts

SEA STARS

Asterias

Forbesi

Compiled by Neva Parsons

There's no such thing as starfish!

Sea stars are not fish - they have no gills, scales or fins. They're related to sand dollars and sea urchins.

◆

Sea stars can have anywhere from 5 to 40 arms, and have hundreds of tube feet for mobility, feeding, and circulation.

◆ They have red spots at the end of each limb which enable them to detect intensity of light.

◆ Their prey includes – well, almost anything – but especially mussels, oyster and clams.

◆ Sea stars are a keystone species; if their numbers diminish, the whole food web is affected.

◆ They live not only in tropical waters, but also in polar oceans.

Strange but True!

Although the ability to regrow legs is a little odd, check out these other strange facts:

◆

A sea star's stomach actually exits its body to consume food, then reenters when finished feeding.

◆

Sea stars “breathe” using diffusion when water passes over their bodies. (Look it up!)

◆

They can reproduce sexually, or asexually.

◆

They’re not stupid, but are they are brainless – they literally have no brain, but they have a keen sense of smell.

◆

Sea stars are bloodless – they filter sea water through their nervous system (called a nerve net) to extract nutrients.

Photo by Amanda Gregory

Bitter End

A TIME FOR REFLECTION

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

The end of the year is quickly approaching and I always find it a good time for a bit of self-reflection and looking back, and a time to look forward as well. More often than not, our lives are shaped and impacted by major events and changes. We are still dealing with the effects of COVID and struggling with the impact from supply chain issues for commodities, to the lack of workers providing services we have taken granted for so long. A few nights ago after work, I just wanted to stop at McDonalds, grab a quick burger and go home. At seven o’clock my local Golden Arches was closed, due to lack of personnel.

Seems like a small thing, right? But it reminds me of an old adage, for want of a Big Mac the sailor was lost, for want of a sailor the ship was lost, for want of a ship the business was lost, and for want of a business, mankind was lost. Or something like that. I never was really good at quotes. Yes, that’s hyperbole. Or is it really?

I know, I’m a veritable ray of sunshine. So now to look at some positives. For me, on a personal level, I got a new pair of Cummins engines for my Monster boat (well, the boss’s boat), which has been a real stress reducer in my day-to-day life. Some of you can relate to this feeling, if you have ever had an engine that you knew was going to fail, but you never knew when, and every day it reminded you of this. So, if you are in that position and are able to, make the change. It is well worth it.

Like some of you, I’m here in Georgia all on my own, no family, but I do have an incredible work family. We work hard as a team, we play hard as a team, and have each other's sixes. As our work season changes gears, it allows us a little time once again for fellowship outside the work environment. Tonight, we are headed out to see the new release of Devotion, which was filmed in part here on Tybee and the surrounding area. It’s based on a true story about Naval Aviator Jesse Brown, played by Jonathon Majors, the first African American Navy fighter pilot in the Korean War. If you like seeing parts of the lowcountry on the big screen or just love history, give it a view.

One major accomplishment on which I was able to assist (as well as many others from the Parks Service, F.O.C.I.L, and my coworkers with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures) was the relighting of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. (I wrote a little piece about it a while back. If you missed it, you can find it in our on-line version at southerntidesmagazine.com.

Captain Derek’s hosted a fundraiser complete with all the usual activities, like raffles, silent auctions, food, three bands, and informative boat rides to get you up close and personal with the star of the show. In spite of the rains which moved in a day earlier than had been forecasted, I still consider it a win.

Which brings me to this final day of November, as I write this column. The weather has cooled and Jack Frost will soon be nipping at our heels. Tourist season has slowed to a crawl, which means boat companies change gears. Whether you operate one boat or a fleet, maintenance is a vital part of being successful. I don’t usually play a big part in that, so my winter will be filled with a new film project I hope to have up and going in the upcoming year.

Just as this year is sliding by so are my days, and though hopefully there are many more to come, I’m not getting any younger. Nor any of us, for that matter. So, if there are things in your life you’ve

wanted to accomplish but never made the time for, DO THEM. Get off your ass and get out there! I say this to guests on my tours, especially on less than hospitable days, when it may be rainy or windy: “No great adventure was ever had on the living room couch.” If I could give any advice to parents, it would be to get the phones and tablets out of the kids’ hands. Give them a fishing pole, a surfboard, teach them to shoot, or raise a garden. Sadly, the Eagles seemed to sum this age up best with the lyrics, “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device.” Don’t be prisoners of your devices, get out there and live.

Well, that’s about it for me, folks. May the new year find you and yours in good spirits and health!

'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!

Captain Gator has spent the past several decades truly living the salt life, from living on and racing sailboats, to being a paddle guide, to becoming a 100-ton master and working in the tour boat industry. A strong love of history and the water has shaped him into becoming one part educator, one part entertainer, and one part storyteller. When asked if he is a native, his reply is yes, by osmosis.

TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

The relighting of Cockspur Light. Photo by Captain Gator

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