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Citizen science projects involve the collaboration between scientists and the general public to collect and analyze data, conduct research, and contribute to scientific knowledge. These projects aim to harness the collective power of individuals, often enthusiasts or volunteers with varying levels of expertise, to address scientific questions or challenges. Some citizen science fields include topics ranging from astronomy to environmental sciences/life sciences and more! Participants may contribute by making observations, collecting samples, or even using their computers or smartphones to analyze data. The involvement of citizens in scientific research not only accelerates data collection but also promotes public engagement, education, and awareness of scientific issues. You don’t have to be an expert on the project but may walk away with having learned many new things from getting involved. Accessibility, inclusivity, and the potential for large-scale data gathering are some goals…

Capt. Joseph on his first BIET as a 6 year old! Captain Joseph recently shared a photo of him on his FIRST EVER Barrier Island Eco Tour. He was just 6 years old…14 years later he was HOOKED and is ofFISHally (sorry we couldn’t help it!!!) a captain & naturalist for the company! When Jojo…

Capers Island beach not only contains a boneyard of trees but it is teeming with fascinating collection of treasures that have washed up on the island. One unique creature that can be seen is the mottled purse crab.

During low tide it is fun to discover marine invertebrates that are finally exposed on the beach at Capers Island. One way of determining different animals beneath the now exposed sand is through their tracks! Sea snails are notorious for leaving trails, and a type of sea snail we can find on Capers is a…

‘Happy as a Clam’ Did you know this expression is believed to have come from an author in the 1800’s? The expression over time became shorter but the full expression was, “As happy as a clam at high water!”. This meant during high water (or at high tide) clams were free from certain predators like birds or humans and were able to filter feed on plankton!

2023 Critter Review.  Here are some of our favorite animals we got to see in 2023. Enjoy! 

On Sunday December 17, 2023 a Nor’easters hit the low country. No’reasters are cyclones that typically form outside of the tropics, and usually affecting the Northeastern United States on the Atlantic Coast. This type of storm forms due to a polar air mass collision with a humid air mass and they normally occur in the late fall and winter. Because of these two factors, they are different than a tropical storm which forms over warm, tropic waters.  Nor’easters usually bring snow or blizzards but for the low country it meant one of the highest record non-tropical tides. Instead of a snow record, there was a daily record of 3.89 inches of rain (98.81 mm) from Downtown Charleston. Because of the tide and the rain water some streets of Charleston were under 2 feet (60 cm) of water. The tide was…

Nestled off the coast of South Carolina, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the sandy shores, lies Capers Island—a haven for nature enthusiasts and a treasure trove of marine wonders. This past fall, we had extraordinary discoveries washed ashore including a couple of not-your-normal-SC-jellies. Two extraordinary finds included the massive Lion’s Mane Jelly and the enchanting…

This photo of a channel Whelk “laying eggs” was captured over the weekend reminding us that this is the time of year when Mother Nature is out “making hay while the sun shines”. It also brings home the truth of “Summertime and the living is easy”. There is just so much new life all around…

We often visit the same destinations multiple times a day, month or even once per year- only to wait for the oppertune moment that makes the venture there and back worthwhile. In this instance, Captain Robert Hopkins gave his account from a trip earlier this week. The bald eagle spotting was not only worth writing…

Atlantic Blue Marlin Larva- Click here! Atlantic blue marlin larva (Makaira nigricans) In one spawning, the female blue marlin may release up to 7 million eggs, each approximately 1mm in diameter. The planktonic young may drift in the pelagic zone and may grow as much as to 1.6cm in a day. Photo: © Cedric Guigand