Share the warmth and the spirit of the Lowcountry Holiday Market at Honey Horn
Friday, December 4, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Meet local authors as they sign their books for children and adults
Sample Lowcountry recipes made with locally-prepared seasonings and ingredients available in our gift shop
Give the gift of knowledge to children and adults from our large collection of books on the critters, history and culture of the Lowcountry
Surprise your friends with original gifts from local artists and artisans: okra pod angels, sweet grass, pine needle and swamp baskets, seashell ornaments, cotton ball angels, one-of-a-kind jewelry, photography, prints, and pottery
Proceeds from sales benefit the Coastal Discovery Museum 10% off store purchases at both locations (20% for members), excluding consignment items.
The Lowcountry is home to a wide variety of habitats, flora and fauna. Over the years, some of the animals that have called this region home have been impacted by changes that in the surrounding environment or by human interference with their normal ranges or habitats. Most of us are familiar with the historic plight of the Bald Eagle with the devastating effects of DDT on its reproduction. Thankfully, in recent years, Bald Eagles have made a recovery in numbers – and are thriving in South Carolina – and are nesting on Hilton Head Island. There are other stories, though, that are less hopeful. Changes in habitat and land-uses has made some animals less common on Hilton Head Island. Wild Turkeys and bobwhites are rarely, if ever, seen on the island and Bobcats are scarcely documented in this region.
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum now through December 11, 2009 and explore this unique exhibit as it examines some of the animal and plant species that are protected federally or are noted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as being in decline, threatened or at risk. The Coastal Discovery Museum has also assembled stories about animals who are not necessarily protected by law, but are decreasing in number for many different reasons.
Mounted specimens from the Museum’s collection, from the Lowcountry Institute and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will be on display alongside photographs by local naturalists and artists. Several species of living plants that are at risk are on loan from Naturescapes. Scientific data from the Department of Natural Resources and from the local Audubon Society bird count are included in the exhibit. Hilton Head artist John Davey has created a series of 15 never-before exhibited engravings that are included in the exhibit. The Museum has created a family-friendly ‘scavenger hunt’ for younger visitors.
Programs scheduled for the public include a presentation about the Piping Plover Recovery Plan on Wednesday, December 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.
Pearl, the albino alligator from Gatorland in Orlando, Florida visited the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week. In an effort to educate visitors about the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Kenny Danberry from Gatorland visits the Coastal Discovery Museum every Thursday through August 13th sharing information about the biology and behavior of alligators, their threats to survival, alligator safety tips, and ways we can help protect this species. Getting to Know a Gator programs take place at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Horn Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:0o p.m.
While walking the property at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week, our Manager of Natural History, Carlos Chacon, came upon an Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) as it traveled through open areas on the property. Eastern Hognose Snakes occur throughout the southeast feeding primarily on toads. Natural predators of the Eastern Hognose Snake include other snakes, birds of prey, and carnivorous mammals. With numerous predators, the Eastern Hognose Snake has adapted unique responses to ward off potential threats. One of the most notable behaviors is 'playing dead' where the snake will roll over on its back pretending to be dead (seen in the picture below). Eastern Hognose Snakes will not intentionally bite people, however it is important to practice snake safety. Please be sure to keep a safe distance from snakes and please do not pursue or try to capture any snake. Individuals can help protect snakes by being mindful of human impacts affecting their survival. Such impacts include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing of snakes. It is important to protect all snakes living in the southeast as they are vital components of the environment as both predators and prey. Snakes also serve as good indicators of the health of an ecosystem.
The Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure is now open at the Coastal Discovery Museum! Featuring native butterfly species, this 1,200 square foot outdoor enclosure contains both host and nectar plants to support butterflies throughout their life cycle. Visitors can search for tiny eggs amongst the host plants, watch as caterpillars consume as much as 30 times their own body weight in food, identify species based on the unique chrysalis they form, and observe adult butterflies fluttering throughout the enclosure.
Ospreys build nests on tall, isolated trees near bodies of water. Man-made nesting platforms can be used to enhance osprey populations, by providing more nesting sites. Located off of Osprey Outlook boardwalk, the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn has installed an osprey nesting platform in an effort to attract nesting pairs to our property. We would like to thank Palmetto Electric Cooperative for their assistance during the installation of the nesting pole.
It has been more than forty years since the last Marsh Tacky Horse Race happened on Hilton Head Island, however it was an exicitng day when 15 Marsh Tacky horses visited Hilton Head to compete in a Marsh Tacky Horse Race. In partnership with the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Native Island Business Community Affaris Association and the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association, created an exciting event that drew an estimated crowd of 3,000 people. The horses and their riders traveled from areas throughout South Carolina including Florence, Walterboro, and Ridgeland to compete in several races throughout the day.
