First Images Of Murrells Inlet
After years of living in the mountains, the images of our first month in Murrells Inlet are quite different but no less inspiring.
As a very outdoor oriented person, working indoors can be quite constraining, so I need an office environment with lots of windows and air. My study in Murrells Inlet provides me a stunning view of the salt marsh.
As an early riser, I love being greeted by sunrise at the start of each work day. Each morning is different with the changing sky conditions, so the first light of day hits differently, but it never disappoints. Here are a few of this month’s spectacular sunrises.
Sunrise over Drunken Jack Island 
Sunrise with wisps of clouds 
A magical Murrells Inlet Sunrise 
Even a cloudy day provides a glowing sunrise. 
Fisherman at sunrise
I share my days with the wondrous wildlife including the numerous amazing birds. They come in an stunning array of sizes and colors, many with wingspans bigger than my dogs. I am struggling to learn the various species (over 300 have been identified in the surrounding state park) so if you spot a mistake, please email me and let me know.
Snowy egrets line up on a rail inside Huntington Beach State Park. 
The great egret hanging out in the tree as Hurricane Dorian approaches. 
A pair of great egrets hanging out in a tree just outside my office. 
The egrets hanging out on the posts at the far end of our property. 
A young laughing gull. 
Laughing gull watching me approach. 
An osprey watches me before taking flight. 
One of the most unusual birds in the area – a roseate spoonbill. 
A white ibis working on breakfast in the pluff mud exposed by low tide. 
The white ibis is the shallow waters. 
A wood stork hunting food. 
Fluffing wet feathers. 
A young green heron scanning the waters for food. 
The heron is unamused that I am nearby.
Of course, birds aren’t the only creatures who share our coastal world. Alligators are plentiful, though found much more often in the fresh water lagoons than the salt water marsh, but lots of smaller creatures abound as well.
This guy was hanging out on the top of some shrubs. 
A plentiful and quite sizable spider commonly known as a banana spider, but more appropriately called a golden silk orb-weaver. 
Gators are plentiful in the fresh water but rarely venture into our salt marsh. 
And, yes, the gators can grow to a great size. 
Dragonflies flit around constantly. 
This abandoned martin house is in the salt marsh near the house.
Of course, part of coastal living is the threat of hurricanes. The storms are incredibly powerful and destructive, but Mother Nature is resilient. The following three photos were taken from the deck outside my study, all showing how quickly the salt marsh rebounds after a storm.
To the east with Garden City in the distance. 
South of Garden City with Drunken Jack Island on the left and the northern part of Huntington Beach State Park on the right. The Atlantic Ocean visible between the two. 
The southern view is Huntington Beach State Park and the causeway that separates the fresh water and the salt water.
My question is this: did you have to give up the spacious house for one that is smaller or is the new house just as spacious? And because you are by water are you bothered by mosquitoes?
The house is a very different style and a little bit smaller, but we love it.
As for mosquitos, the answer is picaridin.