Editor's Note

You may notice as you flip through the pages this month a slightly different look to the magazine. We’ve given a bit NEW of a boost to the columns and spotlight pages with new headers and some changes to the layouts, and we’ll be upping our DESIGN game a bit with article and feature layout improvements as well. I hope you’ll bear ROLLOUT with us over the next couple issues as we experiment a bit with this new look and style. After seven years, it’s time for a bit of a makeover.

As I mentioned last month, in addition to updating our regular content, we’ll be adding some new spotlight pages as well. See the sidebar for a list of what’s coming.

Because we’ll be relying heavily on not only our naturalist, Crawfish, but also on our community partners such as the Marine Extension and the DNR, among others, and due to space limitations, not all of these new pages will run every month, but each issue will have at least one or two. We’ll kick this off next month with Species of Concern on right whales, and possibly a Daytrip spot.

Also as I mentioned last month, in an effort to create reader engagement we’re adding a reader photos section. In the last issue we ran a full-length feature showcasing reader photos of birds. This month we have a layout of reader photos of beach finds (page 12-13) – this was originally intended to be reader photos of shells, but the photos we received of other beach inhabitants were too good not to include. Going forward, the reader photos section will feature three photos selected from submissions each month. We’ll still occasionally run photo features on multiple pages, but the reader photos section will be a constant – IF y’all submit photos! Please submit your favorite coastal Georgia photos at www.flickr.com/groups/southerntides/

Design changes aside, I’d also like to draw your attention specifically to the article on page 17, Whale Alert, about an app for your phone by that same name. Right whales will be showing up on our coast any time now for calving season. If you’re out on your boat enjoying great fall fishing and spot a whale, you could potentially save its life by uploading the sighting to Whale Alert, which will alert other boaters in the area to its presence. If you spend time on the water, please consider downloading this app and using it to help reduce or eliminate boat strikes. One last thought before you turn the page. Times are uncertain right now. There’s a global paper shortage which has made printing costs skyrocket over the past year, and in part due to high fuel prices, the cost of everything else has gone up, too. Southern Tides and our advertisers are facing tough challenges that could get worse before they get better. How can you help? By doing business with our advertisers, encourage others you do business with to support the magazine as well, and by subscribing. But in addition to those things, let us hear from you! Reach out to our writers, and/or to me, shoot us an email, say hi when you see us out and about. We put this magazine together every month for you. Let us know you’re reading! See you out there! Reader photos such as this gator, by Nick Riccio, Jr. will be featured monthly. Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Upcoming Spotlight Pages

• Explore Outdoors will provide information on what you might find outdoors that month, from what’s blooming to what fish are biting, what migrating species are in our area, seasonal happenings such as gators coming our of their dens in spring to oyster season opening. It could include information on special moons, king tides, or even what edible plants can be found in nature. • Daytrips will be dedicated to a place to visit in our coastal region – from state parks to historic sites, nature centers to wildlife management areas, and anything in between. • Species of Concern will highlight animals (and maybe sometimes plants) that are threatened or endangered. • Science Lab will share information about research being conducted locally that relates to our coastal waters. • Tides Trivia will be a short quiz about our coast or things found on it to test your knowledge. Answers will appear on another page in the issue. • Reader Photos will showcase three photos submitted by readers each month. To submit your photo, visit www.flickr.com/groups/ southerntides/

36 Wilmington Island Road Wilmington Island Visit us on Facebook!

Dockage Dry Storage Bait House Fuel Kayak & Boat Rentals Snacks & Drinks Parts Tackle

We’ll get you on the water.

2827 River Drive Thunderbolt (912) 354-7777 (800) 673-9391 www.riversupply.com

Life Raft Sales & Service In atable Boat Sales & Service Marine Paints Fire & Safety Equipment Yacht Chandlery & Supplies Saltwater Fishing Tackle Superior Products Competitive Pricing Outstanding Customer Service Exceptional Product Knowledge Expedited Shipping & Deliveries Your Satisfaction is our Goal