South Morris Island at Lighthouse Inlet; Rising Tide 16 X 12 "

Much has been told regarding Morris Island and its battle against the elements here at this on-line gallery site and of this inlet at Lighthouse Creek. Most fishermen are familiar with the surf fishing at this site and others shudder at the talk of sharks here. Historians are familiar with the importance of this creek during the Civil War. Folly was invaded relatively early by the "Yankees" when there were two "Follys", north and south , divided by a river that was located generally where the "washout" is located today.

Although all those items in the above paragraph are important to this author, it's natural beauty trumps all of it's other details. I have witnessed virtually every season, tide, and sand bar here over the years. Although I love storms and find them thrilling, I plan to avoid this inlet should a hurricane or powerful storm arrive. There is a lot of energy displayed in this inlet due to the tides, wind, and dangerous currents. 

This view is at the south end of Morris which actually looks mostly west and therefore is a wonderful location to observe the sun as it falls. Turning around here 180 degrees and looking the opposite direction, the moon rises over the ocean. Rarely, a full moon rises and glows in the east as the sun eases over the edge in the west in the same evening.

Here, the water is reclaiming some land or the land is advancing as small islands of Spartina marsh grass are surrounded by water. Surf has been muted by the lage shoals that surround the inlet at the creek's mouth such that only small to modest szed waves reach this sot at low tide. 

Getting access to this area is troublesome, especially at low tide since the barrier shoals make for very shallow water from the ocean side and the creeks connecting Folly River to Lighthouse Inlet are tricky with navigation and shallow spots. Those whose docks reach into the creeks feeding this inlet from Secessionville and Oceanview on James Island are therefore protected from the hordes of boaters that probe everywhere now in our lowcountry waterways. 

This scene is viewing west, at the Folly end, towards the afternoon light which is shielded by afternoon cloud cover. Sunlight ,nevertheless, reflects brightly off the water and penetrates through the the grass leaves of the marsh grass. 

This is a 16 X 12" acrylic on canvas.