Great Egrets are common wading birds that can be seen all year around in Beaufort, South Carolina. The most spectacular time to see these sleek, pure white birds is during their breeding season, when the males go above and beyond to attract a mate for the season. Males develop bright green lores (the featherless skin between their eyes and bills), and elegant breeding feathers called aigrettes. Aigrettes are used for courtship displays in hopes to woo a lovely lady to share a nest with.

Did you know that their stunning aigrettes was a reason for egrets to almost become extinct? In the late 19th century, it was fashionable to use breeding feathers and other parts of birds as decorative pieces for hats and other garments. As the demand for their feathers increased, the birds became more and more rare, leading them down a path of extinction. Some of the birds that were very popular in this trade were Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Great Blue Herons. Due to a variety of movements and protections, such as the Migratory Bird treaty Act of 1918, these favored birds were able to recover and, thankfully, we still get to enjoy their company today. Next time you see a wading bird, take a minute to appreciate their conservation success story!

Photo Credit: jalexand_photography
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TOUR 🚴 our Beautiful Island with our Rental Bikes!! $20/day or $55/week gets you scenic views, a smooth open road + the breeze in your hair 🚴
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Call (904) 716-1338 to RESERVE 🚲
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📚 Local author, interesting guy, + #harborislandsc resident Derrick Hampton visited with some local ladies + 📚their #bookclub recently! Thanks to Andrea Thomason for sharing! Derrick’s mystery novel, The Cottonwood, is suspenseful and engaging a total page turner!! 🔎 Come on in to get one! 🔎 See our stories for more info! $14.00ea 🔎Open 10-4 all week 843-812-8472
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These beautiful Spring days have been great for kayaking! Grab a friend or family member and join one of our awesome guides for a two hour tour through the marshes between St Helena and Hunting Island State Park.

These tours are a great way to experience the estuary and see the small-scale wonders that unfold every day in this environment. Want to plan your own adventure? We`ve got kayak rentals available too!

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NEW SHIRTS ARE IN!! Cool coastal blue v-necks with beachy graphics “since 1957!” Open all week 10-4!! $24.99 size Small-2X ☀️ Men’s coming in soon!!! ⚓️🐢 Open 10-4 all week with LUNCH + SNACKS!! 843-812-8472
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