2022 Hilton Head Seafood Festival - Callawassie Island Pairings Tour

First Course - Oysters with Smoked Trout Roe

The 15th Annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival runs during the last week of February, and Wednesday Feb. 23 was a special event at nearby Callawassie Island. A progressive dinner with food and beverage pairings allowed guests special access to amenities and private homes in this gated community, next to Spring Island. The tour began at the River Club with a pool facility overlooking a wide section of the Callawassie River, and we were served oysters on the half shell with creme fraiche and smoked trout roe, paired with a chilled Lillet Wine concoction. The weather at 3 p.m. on this day was a balmy 85-degrees so the pool was actually in use, and the chilled beverage was a perfect paring. 

Lillet Wine Combo Concoction

A shuttle bus took guests on a tour of private homes with views that included waterfront, marsh and golf course. La Crema wines were paired with a seafood creation at each stop, as the homeowner generously acted as docent to answer any interior design questions. Heck, homeowner Drew Stone was so friendly we almost went for a quick boat ride from his dock. At the home of Deborah Dykes a chef was cooking up Crab Rice that was quite tasty, and paired nicely with her coastal beach shell collection decorum. A marvelous twisted live oak draped across their marsh view in the backyard beckoned me to sit under its shade. Our final stop was the Golf Clubhouse for a charcuterie and Brut combo to anchor the event. 

To view past blog entries on sustainable seafood click Farlow's / SW Florida - The Local Palate Magazine - Guy Harvey Magazine / Oysters - Pink House / Savannah - Boathouse On Breech Inlet / Isle Of Palms - Circa 1886 / Charleston - Wine on the Water / SC Aquarium - Fish Restaurant / Charleston - Fresh On The Menu - SC Aquarium / Carolina's - SEWE Supper / Hall's Chop House 

A wonderful seafood, rice and nut dish

A Hot Job, but our Chef was Cool

2022 Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - Pigs and Pearls Benefit

Carolyn and husband from Aiken

The mission of the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association (CMTA) is to preserve, promote and protect the Marsh Tacky horse lineage. The Inaugural Pigs and Pearls fundraiser on Saturday Feb. 19 at Grayson Oaks Farm, was held to celebrate all Marsh Tacky enthusiasts that enjoy fellowship together over barbecue and oysters. The event host owns five Marsh Tacky horses, and they were in their horse stalls and available for guests to visit. The warm afternoon sunshine allowed for everyone to enjoy the other barnyard animals at this farm, or to just lean up against a hay bale and let the time pass by, while thinking about the next chance to saddle up and go for a Marsh Tacky ride.

Typical Marsh Tacky Build

Not everyone knows that the Marsh Tacky is the South Carolina State Horse, or that their numbers are actually depressed at this time because other horse breeds can be in more demand for equestrian pursuits. The Marsh Tacky has gained a reputation over time as being sure-footed, and a most excellent hunting companion for sporting types to utilize. The average hight of a Marsh Tacky is 14-Hands, and their chest is thin but deep, which allows them to radiate heat better and thus stay fresh longer. The CMTA is providing connections that should allow breeding to expand, and they are adamant about the designation of using a 'registered' Marsh Tacky, to avoid watering down the gene pool. 

Look Closely to see a busted oyster knife,
It went PING and flew by my head!

Marsh Tacky Leadership worked non-stop, 
and even ate dinner at their work station

Bubba Green and his Gullah Grub crew supplied the fresh local steamed oysters, followed up by a barbecue supper spread that included hash and rice, mac and cheese (with tumeric) and baked beans. Music came in the form of a duo from Anderson, The Bank Walkers. The CMTA provided door prizes, raffle items and a silent auction to raise funds for their cause, and this event was so successful there are already rumblings for the next one to be held this Fall. After all this crowd travels well, with attendees coming from Greenville, Aiken, Hartsville, Dafuskie Island, Seabrook Island and nearby Walterboro. 

To view past blog entries with horses click on 2009 Middleton Place Hounds- 2011 Polo For The Point  - 2011 Yemassee Plantation Tour - 2011 Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding - 2012 DuBarry Boots at SEWE - 2012 Lowcountry Hunt at Airy Hall - 2012 Polo For The Point - 2013 Wild Horse of Corolla, OBX - 2013 Lowcountry Hunt / Hunt Weekend - 2014 Arrowmont Stables, NC - 2014 Barnsley Resort, GA -  2015 Rodeo at Double D Arena - 2015 Quail Hunt at Shenandoah Plantation, AL - 2018 World Equestrian Games  - 2020 #TeamHouston Horse Show - 2021 Lowcountry Hunt / Airy Hall - 2021 Lowcountry Hunt / Coosaw Plantation - 2021 Lowcountry Hunt / Rose Hill  

The event host enjoyed the festivities too.

2022 Quail Forever Banquet - Willie McRae / Boone Hall

Congresswoman Nancy Mace with 
Quail Forever CEO Howard Vincent

Quail Forever is a national conservation group that is working in South Carolina to establish and increase quail habitat acreage though financial support and with staff members. The local Chapter of Quail Forever hosted the Willie McRae Wildlife Benefit at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation on Friday afternoon, completing Day One of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. QF's President and CEO Howard Vincent was in the Lowcountry, along with QF Chief Conservation Officer Ron Leathers, in order to support the local leadership. This exclusive event was limited to donors and drew other QF National Board Members, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, and even a gentleman that is 91-years old and is still quail hunting (which is something that anyone can aspire to achieve). 

Commemorative decorum

Local chapter leaders Tim Askins and David Clifford put together and evening that included live music and catering by Jamie Westendorff. The unseasonable warm temperatures made for extended time on the dock overlooking the creek that is itself a reflection of conservation, jam packed with wildlife, and presenting one of the quintessential locales for watching the sun set. A silent auction and raffle captured the attention of sportsmen vying for shotguns, artwork, and souvenirs. The QF National leadership took time to keep raising awareness behind the scenes by doing a live podcast with Englis Glover. A spirited live auction raised money to fund the cause of quail conservation in the Lowcountry.

QF National Board Member John Kohler
with his family at Boone Hall

My interview with QF's Howard Vincent touched on the fact that they have 300 wildlife professionals working in 30 states presently, and that three of them are in S.C., with another three set to go to work here.  This was his first time to SEWE, and said that the dates often overlap with their own National Quail Classic Event. "I believe that we are at a tipping point for positive energy regarding quail habitat in South Carolina," said Vincent. "Habitat is our answer on how to benefit bobwhites, and we want more acres under management that includes prescribed fire, timber thinning, plus soil and water conservation." Even pollinators are on the mind of Vincent, and he proposed that involving youth in insect conservation, could lead them to become upland hunters one day? If possible, in my opinion that would be a groundbreaking WIN! 

Artist Amy-Lauren Lum Won supports QF

To view past blog entries about quail hunting click Moree's, S.C. - Shenandoah Plantation, Alabama - Barnsley Gardens, Georgia - Airy Hall Plantation, South Carolina - Buchanan Shoals, North Carolina - Jones Preserve, Tennessee - Pine Top Plantation, SC - Featherhorn Farm, SC - Deux Cheneaux Plantation, SC - Quail Hunting 101

To view past blog entries about bobwhite quail management click 2014 S.C. Quail Initiative - National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative - 2009 SE Quail Study Group - 2009 Quail Unlimited / Indian Creek Award 

2022 Widgeon Point Preserve - Birding Trip

Bald Eagle sightings are frequent

My first ever trip to Widgeon Point Preserve in Beaufort County on Saturday, February 12 occurred under cloudy and mild conditions from 1 - 3. The trip was organized by the Master Naturalist Alumni group and to my chagrin, many of the intrepid attendees had attended other birding trips in the morning that same day. That morning they had fanned out to places like Bear Island, Port Royal and Okatie which underscores how Widgeon Point is a central location for many, located right along the Broad River off of Highway 170. 

Property is under conservation easement

The Widgeon Point Preserve is open to the public during daylight hours, and is well known to Bald Eagle enthusiasts because they have an active bald eagle nest in a large pine tree adjacent to the parking area! That's right, just park and then look up and its bald eagle bliss on tap! And on this particular day, two bald eagle fledglings could be seen in the nest - increasing the WOW factor!! While the birding group led by Jill Moore did romp around the hiking trail, other members of the public were simply sitting in camp chairs waiting patiently for bald eagle activity. Besides lots of cedar waxwings throughout the property, perhaps the birding was a little slow this day, but I can still recommend Widgeon Point Preserve.

Don't forget to Look for Lichens

We saw a Loon at Broad River Lookout

To view past blog entries about recent field trips click on 2022 Port Royal Sound Foundation / Nature Trail - 2022 Parris Island Birding - 2021 Palmetto Bluff Christmas Bird Count - 2021 Botany Bay WMA Birding - 2021 Tillman Sand Ridge- 2021 Nemours Plantation / Fall Birding - 2021 Coastal Exploration / South Fenwick Island - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Lighthouse and Beach - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Wildlife Sightings - 2021 Coastal Exploration / Bennett's Point- 2021 Edisto Canoe and Kayak Commission - 2021 Congaree / Swamp Plants - 2021 Congaree - Swamp Critters - 2021 Furman University - 2021 Givhans Ferry State Park -  2021 Spring Island - Reptiles and Amphibians - 2021 Spring Island / Plants and Insects - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Wildlife - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Vistas - 2021 Beidler Forest / Flora and Fauna - 2021 Beidler Forest - Name That Snake - 2021 Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary - 2021 Nemours Plantation Birding 

To view past Field Notes and Photos click January 2021 - July 2020-  June 2020 -  March 2020 - June 2019 - July 2018 - February 2018 -  December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 -  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011 

2022 Port Royal Sound Foundation - Nature Trail

Wood Podium found along Nature Trail

Activities at the Port Royal Sound Foundation usually deal with the saltwater surging into the local waterways twice daily. But on this day, the Nature Trail dealt with Terra Firma, as a group on hikers left the Maritime Center and hiked into a protected pine forest adjacent to their property. The Foundation owns a piece of the acreage and Beaufort County owns the rest, and together they have spared it from future development. This hiking path is not open to the public, and is guarded with a locked gate and a network of trial cameras that capture lots of wildlife activities.

The local Eagle Scout Troop has created a small gathering area with benches and a podium, and they have engaged in volunteer activities such as cutting Chinese Tallow trees when they occur on the property. One trail leads to an expansive slat flat in the spartina marsh, and the other path leads to a secret pond surrounded by pine tree regeneration. Not much wildlife was spotted on this day at either locale, but they both have the hallmarks of potential birding hot spots. A plethora of wildlife tracks found in the marsh mud hint at the nocturnal life that also occurs here. 

Attendees walk right out into the salt flat and explore

To view past blog entries from Port Royal Sound Foundation click 2019 Recycled Art - 2018 Eagle Update

Nature Trail Marker

To view past blog entries about recent field trips click on 2022 Parris Island Birding - 2021 Palmetto Bluff Christmas Bird Count - 2021 Botany Bay WMA Birding - 2021 Tillman Sand Ridge- 2021 Nemours Plantation / Fall Birding - 2021 Coastal Exploration / South Fenwick Island - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Lighthouse and Beach - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Wildlife Sightings - 2021 Coastal Exploration / Bennett's Point- 2021 Edisto Canoe and Kayak Commission - 2021 Congaree / Swamp Plants - 2021 Congaree - Swamp Critters - 2021 Furman University - 2021 Givhans Ferry State Park -  2021 Spring Island - Reptiles and Amphibians - 2021 Spring Island / Plants and Insects - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Wildlife - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Vistas - 2021 Beidler Forest / Flora and Fauna - 2021 Beidler Forest - Name That Snake - 2021 Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary - 2021 Nemours Plantation Birding 

Hidden Pond Revealed

2022 Boone Hall Oyster Festival - CCA Oyster Recovery Team

2022 CCA Volunteers at Boone Hall

The 2022 Charleston Restaurant Association's signature event called Lowcountry Oyster Festival took place at Boone Hall Plantation on February 6. The gates opened at 10 a.m. for oyster shucking enthusiasts,  and the cloudy skies and cold temps and steady breeze made for perfect outdoors weather all the way through the 5 p.m. closing time. Most guests have a general admission ticket, but their is also a VIP ticket option for those looking to add a full buffet to their menu, in a side venue area. Craft booths and food trucks surrounded the Boone Hall field that hosts the event, and right in the middle is the red flags for CCA, marking their central hub that will collect and recover oyster shells for recycling for the 11th year.

2022 Volunteer T-Shirt

The South Carolina Coastal Conservation Association is based in Columbia, and they have local leadership in the Lowcountry to advance goals of the Topwater Action Campaign like oyster shell recycling. In the past ten years, the numbers behind the CCA efforts continue to grow, just like the S.C. shellfish beds that benefit from this infusion of shell each year. The 2022 CCA presence will include 100 volunteers to gather shucked oysters from every corner of the festival grounds. They have donated 13 dump trailers to SCDNR over the years, at roughly $10K apiece. One special trailer includes a mechanical arm to lift and dump oyster recycling cans at restaurants, and the price for that trailer was closer to $20K. Volunteer organizer Gary Keisler states that 95-percent of CCA funds stay in S.C. and includes lots of oyster recovery equipment donated to SCDNR.

Game Warden Beckett volunteers his entire family

Did you know that most of the oysters sold this day come from Chesapeake Bay? SCDNR will hold the shell for a 6-month quarantine after the event, and then that shell can be added to the S.C. estuary for local oysters to attach to and grow. In that regard, I think its fair to say that this annual event generates a large amount of substrate each year to benefit S.C. oyster beds, and everyone that participates in any way is actually doing their own small part to benefit local natural resources. By the way, Local oysters were also for sale at the Oyster Fest, courtesy of Trey McMillan's oyster company. Right in the middle of the oyster steaming area was local caterer Jamie Westendorf, bringing his entire team to make sure the public does not have to wait long when they are ready to pick up a bucket of oysters to enjoy. 

The Next Generation of Oyster Recycling efforts

To view past blog entries from Boone Hall Oyster Festival click on 2018 - 2014 Guy Harvey Magazine - 2014 - 2011 

To view my article about CCA sinking Barge offshore click Edisto 60

To view past articles I wrote for CCA and TIDE magazine click on 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009