Benjamin Galland, h20 creative group
Village Creek Landing aerial
Much to the surprise of many visitors, the seawater that surrounds Georgia’s barrier islands appears brown due to stirred up sediment and tannins leached from decaying organic material, such as the Spartina grasses, leaves, and tree bark, that wash offshore from the swamps and marshes. Sedimentary deposits from the large rivers that flow into the ocean here make the sea floor near the shore muddy, rather than sandy. Storms that churn off the coast often stir that sediment up, making the mix darker and more obvious, but the “sweet tea” color is a consistent trait of our waters, no matter the weather. While this might not be the pristine turquoise paradise of beach dreams, it’s not a bad thing either, because these nutrient rich waters are ideal for our wildlife. Fish, crustaceans, and other sea life are plentiful here. That attracts a wide variety of birds, and provides a healthy diet for other animals as well. A further testament to the goodness of our “sweet tea” brown water is the fact that locally-caught sweet white Wild Georgia Shrimp are known to have the best flavor and are in high demand in the seafood market. These shrimp are caught with nets right out of their natural environment off our shores and not farm-raised or altered in any way. So, if you’re disappointed in the way the brown water looks in your vacation pictures or wish we had the clear waters and white sands of the Gulf, we suggest you grab a table overlooking the water at sunset and order the local specialty of shrimp & grits or Low Country Boil. Take in the view of the shrimp boats on the horizon, with birds fluttering above and dolphins playing in their wake. Marvel at the beauty of the egrets and herons fishing in the marsh, and the pelicans perched on their posts, as if posing for the pictures you’re sure to take. And when you sip your sweet tea, consider whether you’d really rather trade that for a plain glass of water.
