J & L Kayaking gets featured in the Grand Strand Magazine!

 Birder’s Paradise

Written By: Harold Rohrback
Photographs By: Bobby Altman

Kayak tour leads to a beautiful Surprise

There are moments in life when the time is right, the location is perfect and the stars align to produce an event so magnificent that for an instant your breath is taken away by the beauty. So it was last month on a kayaking trip into a well-kept secret location only a short distance from the Grand Strand beaches.

Justin and Lori Summerall are the guides/owners of J&L Kayak Ecoventures in Little River. They started off the tour with a short primer on Kayaking 101, and then onto the water we went. Justin had promised the tour of a lifetime on the Waccamaw River and, boy, was he about to deliver. The trip started upstream with beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife as our guides told stories of the history of the river and its tributaries. After about an hour of paddling we stopped, pulled the kayaks over a bank and then launched them again onto an adjoining lake. The lake was almost completely covered in Duck Weed, aquatic vegetation that dissipates and seems to dissolve when touched by the paddle. A three-foot alligator watched with curiosity and a bald eagle circled overhead as we made our way toward an opening at the far end of the lake. As we got closer, birds of all sizes started appearing above the tree line, and it became apparent that on the other side of the opening was another lake. But not just any lake.

It was as if we were entering another land—one never seen by another human. This lake had a two-acre wooded island that was occupied by more than 1,000 marsh birds. Maneuvering the kayak into and around the island, nests made of sticks and twigs were every five feet at varying heights, some with eggs. The sight was incredible. “It feels like a fairytale and I’m Pocahontas,” said Melody Kennedy, one of the kayakers on the tour.

There was an astonishing variety of birds to be viewed, some within 10 feet of the kayak. Justin says the Great Egrets are the first to arrive at the nesting colony with their stunning white plumage and 6-foot wingspans. They are a monogamous bird and return each year to the same nest. The Great Blue Herons follow shortly after and remain monogamous for that year only since the male prefers to make a new nest each year. The Cattle Egret is a gorgeous bird, with white feathers and a hint of orange on its back to match the orange of its bill. A hunched posture and short, thick neck make him a photographer’s dream. There were only a few of the endangered Wood Stork, an impressive bird with a 6-foot wingspan and dusky yellow, down-curved bill.

It was an amazing sight to see what are usually considered solitary, silent birds gathered together in this great number, cackling away in raspy mating calls that sounds more like croaks. They come by the thousands from up and down the coast to this place each year to form their multi-species breeding colony on the Grand Strand.  Once you’ve experienced the spectacle of them coexisting, you will have a new appreciation for the beauty this earth has to offer. The colony is only active for about two months and then it is just another small stand of trees until they return 10 months later.

J&L Kayak Ecoventures offers a wide variety of experiences. Each adventure is specifically designed that day for the customer using wind, tide and other factors to maximize fun and make each trip unique. You can also arrange for hourly rentals at a location of your choosing between Myrtle Beach and Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The kayaks are dropped off and picked up at your convenience.

Some of the other options offered by J&L Kayak Ecoventures are:

Scenic Marsh Tours

Lazily touring the salt marsh creeks of Cherry Grove. Great for families and first-time or experienced kayakers.

Romantic Couples Tour and Twilight Tour

Spend a memorable and romantic time on the water at sunset. Customized at your request.

Kayak Crabbing Tour

Catch dinner and still have time to hunt sea shells and explore the private island.

Most tours last 3-4 hours and range in price from $40–$60 for adults and $35–$55 for children.  

J&L Kayak Ecoventures is located at 4208 Exchange St., Little River. Reach them at (843) 267-6816 or online at www.mbkayaking.com.

You can view the full article and pictures at: www.grandstrandmag.com

Spring Kayaking Specials and Events

Spring Tide behind Waities Island

Spring is on approach! Our days have been hit or miss, but lately we've seen more days in the 70's than not. We have had some awesome early season paddles and met some great folks along the way. We have a few upcoming events and great opportunities for you as well!

April 19th we will be having our first annual Kayak Easter Adventure! This tour will include a light paddle out to Waities Island. We will have a massive Easter egg hunt with a few hidden prize eggs, sand art contest, prizes, and each family will receive a complimentary photo CD for you to take with you. The egg hunt will consist of two areas divided by ages 2-6 and 7-15. Limited seats available for this tour. Don't miss out on a unique Easter event that will be remembered!

Little River, SC "River Sweep"

For more information or reservations call: 843-267-6816.

May 17th we invite you to take advantage of our once a year complimentary kayaking! Wait, there is a catch... this is the 3rd Annual Little River, SC "River Sweep". Join us as we do our part to help keep our estuaries clean. This event is a great time for all! For more information visit the Little River River Sweep  Facebook Event Page. To reserve a kayak call 843-267-6816.


SPECIALS!!!
We have some great specials for March and April. Save big on some great kayaking deals. These are the lowest rates around. Explore Sunset Beach, NC or Cherry Grove, SC with out even putting a dent in your vacation fund. Why are these rates so low? Because you've earned it. After such a brutal winter we are just as eager to get outside as you. We invite you to join us on a tour in the warm sunny weather here in North Myrtle Beach, SC and Sunset Beach, NC. Visit our Specials page to see all of our great deals!

-J & L Kayaking

Exclusive Waccamaw River Kayak Birding Tour opens March 1st!

Nesting Great Egret

Exploring a tunnel through the tall Cypress Trees.

           Every year tucked back in the mainland of North Myrtle Beach lies a thriving habitat where thousands of coastal birds come together to repopulate. This habitat is hidden deep into the Waccamaw River Swamp and only accessible by kayak. Its location allows mother nature to keep it a secret from most river travelers. Two years ago while I was doing a little self exploration of my own I stumbled right into this area where I observed well over 7 different species of medium to large coastal birds all working very diligently building nest, quarting, breeding and raising offspring to ensure their species survival for another generation.

   

Great Egret Wedding Veil

    Of the most common species you will see on this trip is the Great Egret. The Great Egret is named after
its wedding veil that it develops during each breeding season. Long ago, the Turkish would hunt the Egret for this seasonal plumage. It was used in their culture to adorn their hats to note a social class. This adornment by the Turks was called Aigrett (pronunced E-gret). Later, the French adopted a similar tradition by adorning the hats of military officials. The name Aigrett followed the bird into the French culture; however, the spelling adopted by the english was that of the French spelling - Egret. These majestic wedding veils that are only seen seasonally can be viewed closely at the breeding ground by slow moving kayaks quietly paddling by.

Little Blue Heron

     One of my favorite parts of this tour is when you get closer to the nesting area you will start to notice constant traffic patterns from the different bird species. They fly as though they are planes being guided into the airport. A constant steady stream of various species/groups fly to and from this habitat as they scour for food for their young and supplies for their nest to stay in good condition.

If you are coming to Myrtle Beach this year between March and July we highly encourage you to take this tour. It truly is a majestic once in a lifetime opportunity! Thanks for reading our blog and we look forward to you joining us on a memorable kayaking adventure!

Click here for reservations!

or call 

843-267-6816

Two Young Egrets showing an uncommon display of affection.

A Winter Kayaking Trip to Waties Island- Cherry Grove, SC

Winter Sunset View from Waties Island 

Welcome to the new year! We are excited about the upcoming kayaking season. Until then, we are taking advantage of every warm weather day by kayaking through the salt marshes of Sunset Beach, NC and North Myrtle Beach, SC. We are also exploring all new routes on the Waccamaw River. In our new upcoming season we have many new tours coupled with our most popular tours of previous seasons. We look forward to having you join us on a kayak adventure of your own in the new year.

Erosion of the Dunes

Recently, I kayaked to Waties Island in Cherry Grove, SC. Though I have made this trip many times, I was taken back when I landed on this private barrier island. It was a fairly warm day and as I began exploring I witnessed the power of mother nature and how it is ever changing. The coastline of this island has been battling with the tides of the oceans for thousands of years. Progressively, over the last couple of years I have observed the inlet that seperates Waties Island from the mainland of North Myrtle Beach shifting north-westerly a few extra feet at a time. With the winter weather this year the tides and unrelenting surf have broken down the dunes creating a canvas drawing where the island's vegetation meets the ocean.

White Tail Deer spotted on the Island

Kayaking to Waities Island is like riding in a time machine going back 200 years. The island is a pristine habitat untouched by the expansion of civilization. It is home to a wide variety of land animals; although, the island's thick underbrush makes an encounter unsual. Stumbling onto the evidence of Deer, Hogs, Bears, Fox and Otters is quite an intriguing moment in its own right. The fascination stirs up questions of survival for these indigenous animals that call Waties Island home. Waties Island supplies a prime habitat for food and shelter; however, there is no natural fresh water source on the island. All of the land animals that live on the island must make daily transits battling the shallow waters, pluff mudd, and oysters that cut through the back of the island seperating it from the mainland. Even with its challenges, Waties Island is still prime real estate for these animals.


I have been exploring this area of Cherry Grove by kayak for over 5 years now and every trip is always different than the last. I look forward to many more trips and invite you to join me on a Waties Island Kayak trip. Our kayak tours launch from Cherry Grove public Boat landing in North Myrtle Beach. We offer Scenic tours through the creeks and a longer Island tour that will guide you through these creeks and land on Waties Island for some exploring and shell hunting.
Visit our website at www.JandLKayaking.com to learn more about kayaking in North Myrtle Beach, SC and our other kayaking locations in Sunset Beach, NC and the Waccamaw River.

 Kayaking to Waties Island through the backwater creeks

-Justin
J & L Kayak Ecoventures
Phone: 843-267-6816