Jekyll Island, the Wildlife

Today is the last of the 3 part series on Jekyll Island. We will talk a bit about wildlife and I will share a few interesting facts as well. A lot of my information was gathered from books picked up at a gift shop on the island...

Interest in the Club dwindled as the original membership aged. In the early 1940's after enemy ships were sighted off the coast, members left the Island and the Millionaires Club never reopened.

The State of Georgia bought Jekyll Island in 1947 and the dwellings were in a state of disrepair. Today the entire Club House along with cottages have been restored. By law, 65% of the island will remain undeveloped. Sorry kids, no McDonald's here just local Mom & Pops places from long ago.

It cost a mere $3.00 to enter Jekyll Island. What a bargain price for us Cheapskates! ha..

Here you will see one of many Great Egrets looking for a snack in the marshes.

We are always excited to see the Pelicans even though not a great picture taken by me. They were moving way too quickly.

We had a visitor on the balcony of our room. This gecko was still in this position when we left so I am kind of wondering if someone did not glue a rubber toy to the wall as a joke for unsuspecting nature lovers such as ourselves. Hum, what do you think, Live or Memorex?

We saw a raccoon and opossum and we also spotted deer tracks on the beach. We are still trying to figure out why a deer was on the beach. Do they eat the sea oats?

Ah, a cute sea turtle in the landscaping! How fun it must be to be a gardener on this island. But wait, that is not the only turtle we saw...

Jekyll Island is home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click to learn more. This wonderful center has been open for about a year now and they take care of sick and injured Sea turtles then release them back into the wild. We toured the facility and learned that of the 7 sea turtles, 5 of them can be found in this area. I did not know that a day of building a sand castle on the beach could be a hamper on a baby turtle getting safely into the ocean once hatched. Knock down those castles people because they are barriers to the little things!

This turtle to the left had an issue with not being able to go under water. Notice how his shell is out of the water. They think this is a gassy issue and once cleared up, he should be able to sink below the water. He was a huge turtle but not fully grown my any means. I believe the smaller turtle below was fairly close to being released. The turtle will have a transmitter on his shell so the center can keep up with its progress and learn more about their behavior. This center also monitors the nesting turtles along the island.


The beach by our hotel is missing with high tide. Look at how natural this area remains. Sea Oats keep the dunes in place so never touch the Sea Oats because they have a purpose. Rip Rap rock has been put in place to keep the sand from washing out to sea with rough waters.

On the north side of the beach is the area known as Driftwood Beach. This area is full of dead trees with an eerie look about them. Unfortunately, we did not get to this spot with low tide so we were not able to walk about the area for the great views of driftwood. Remember, do not bother the wood it is protected being in a state park!

There are about 586 houses on the island that are privately own with land leased and a fee paid to the Island Authority under a 99 year lease which expires in 2049. The lease is transferable when ownership changes. Permanent residents number about 900 with no more lots available for building.

The island has the purest water being supplied by Artesian wells. Everything on Jekyll island is maintained and like walking into another time with its beauty.

The first Brewery in Georgia was on Jekyll Island and made of Tabby construction. Tabby is composed of equal parts of sand, lime, oyster shell and water mixed into a mortar and poured into forms.

History was made at the Club when the Federal Reserve Act was drafted there in 1910. Also when the first transcontinental telephone call was placed there in 1915. There is so much yet for me to learn about the island!

I must thank my Saint for taking me to this wonderful place. He did all the research and whisked me away for this most wonderful weekend.

Even though this is a natural state island, there is lots to do while on a visit. They have a camp ground, horseback riding, golf, tennis, museums, art galleries, shopping, the beach, 20 miles of walking or biking paths, water park and putt putt for the kids.

You can also take a boat ride for dolphin watching or hop aboard a Shrimp boat for a few hours of catching legendary Wild Georgia Shrimp. We happen to be there during the Shrimp & Grits festival. Don't knock them until you have tried them. I have never heard of them until we moved here and I love them!

This brings us to the end of our 3 part series on JEKYLL ISLAND. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did reliving our little weekend get away.

The sunset over the marsh was the perfect ending to this spectacular place. We WILL be going back and soon! But for now, I must get back In the Garden...

*Note: After reading the posting on Sunday of the Jekyll Island Oak trees, In the Garden was contacted by David Egan. He is the co-director of an all-volunteer, non-profit organization called the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island State Park. One of the main goals of the IPJI is to ensure that whatever new development takes place on Jekyll Island, it does not adversely affect Jekyll's environmentally-sensitive areas or damage or destroy any of its natural assets. Click on the link to learn more about IPJI and to see some wonderful pictures.