Join us for one or both trips!

Trip 1 – Tracing Life on the Georgia Coast, with Professor Anthony Martin, Emory University

May 1 – May 4

Have you walked along a beach and wondered who made all the tracks, trails, marks, holes, and a myriad of odd-shaped materials found on shells, in sands, rocks or sea-weathered driftwoods? Emory Professor of Environmental Science Tony Martin specializes in ichnology, the fascinating study of the traces that living things, such as “trees, coastal plants, insects, spiders, earthworms, crayfish, crabs, snails, clams, marine worms, sea stars, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals” leave behind. From traces we can often learn more about behaviors and ecology than we can from the bones or shells of the animals themselves.

Tony Martin has traveled the world looking for clues left in the fossil record that tell the story of ancient living beings, as well as their modern day descendants. Many maritime species living along our oceanic coasts are much like their ancestors who lived thousands or millions of years before, so the traces we find today often mirror ancient fossils, and vice versa. Among his many books and publications, Prof. Martin has authored two books focused on Georgia coastal ecosystems “Tracking the Golden Isles: The Natural and Human Histories of the Georgia Coast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 2020, and Life Traces of the Georgia Coast. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana, 2013. 

Our walks and outings with Tony Martin on Ossabaw Island will be enlightening adventures revealing the clues to the presence and lives of creatures both seen and unseen. 

Anthony (Tony) J. Martin is trained mostly as a geologist and paleontologist. His fossil discoveries or co-discoveries include: the only known burrowing dinosaur; the oldest dinosaur burrows in the geologic record; the oldest fossil crayfish in the Southern Hemisphere; the oldest bird tracks in Australia; and the only known iguana nesting burrow in the geologic record. For more information about Dr. Tony Martin and his work, visit https://www.georgialifetraces.com/tag/art-and-science/ and https://envs.emory.edu/people/bios/martin-anthony.html#:~:text=Dr.,Press)%2C%20among%20other%20books.

Trip itinerary:

• Thurs May 1 arrive: late afternoon orientation to natural and cultural history of the island, short walks before or after dinner

• Fri May 2 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, 1/2 day talk, outing or discussion with Prof Martin lunch, free afternoon, dinner, evening discussion with Prof Martin

• Sat May 3 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, all day island field trip including south beach with Prof. Martin

• Sun May 4 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, leave island

Food:

Gourmet meals will be prepared fresh from scratch by Chef Leslie Varnadore, former on-island coordinator/caretaker for Sandy West, specializing in dock fresh seafood, vegetarian and healthy southern dishes. Breakfast, lunch, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner each day. 

Cost:

All inclusive trip fee: lodging, meals, program, guide, on-island transportation, private charter transportation to and from the island. Club House accommodations $1275 per person (limit 8, shared rooms, bunk beds) • Boarding House accommodations $1385 per person (limit 5, shared rooms, twin/full/queen beds)  NOTE: ** A non-refundable deposit of $450 required by March 25. 

“The food was so good! — it was like going out to eat at a restaurant for every meal — everything was to perfection, and everyday so many different dishes and unique takes on dishes. I’ve never been served this kind of food on other retreats – Chef Lesley is amazing!!” — Gittel Price, photographer, admitted foodie, and founder of  Women in Photography  (100k followers around the world), Ossabaw attendee 2024.

To register click HERE  –  Questions? contact: Kathryn 404-862-0118

                                  Join us for one or both trips!

Trip 2 – Nature Photography and Naturalist Walks with Kathryn Kolb, fine art photographer and master naturalist 

May 4 – May 7

We invite art and nature lovers and photographers at any skill level – from cell phones to film cameras to experience beautiful, natural maritime landscapes including old growth live oaks and sabal palms, a “boneyard” beach. We’ll also see a broad array of birds, from rare shorebirds and waders to colorful migratory warblers, and other wildlife on walks and island outings. Participants can choose program options including • naturalist walks and island excursions • how to enhance your vision in the field using any kind of camera (including cell phones) • the geometries and art of natural forms • birding by sight and call, and will also have unscheduled time to follow their muse. Land and sea scapes with sun and moon rises can be found within 5 minutes walk from lodging, along with a tidal pool where wading birds can be easily seen and photographed. 

Trip itinerary:

• Sun May 4 arrive: late afternoon orientation to natural and cultural history of the island, short walks before or after dinner

• Mon May 5 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, 1/2 day walk, how to enhance your vision in the field using any kind of camera (including cell phones), free afternoon, dinner, evening slide show with Kathryn Kolb on the art and geometry of natural forms.

• Tues May 6 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, all day island field trip including south beach with Kathryn Kolb.

• Wed May 7 early am birding with Kathryn Kolb (optional), breakfast, leave island

Food:

Gourmet meals will be prepared fresh from scratch by Chef Leslie Varnadore, former on-island coordinator/caretaker for Sandy West, specializing in dock fresh seafood, vegetarian and healthy southern dishes. Breakfast, lunch, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner each day. 

Cost:

All inclusive trip fee: lodging, meals, program, guide, on-island transportation, private charter transportation to and from the island. Club House accommodations $1040 per person (limit 7, shared rooms, bunk beds) • Boarding House accommodations $1275 per person (limit 6, shared rooms, twin/full/queen beds) NOTE: ** A non-refundable deposit of $450 required by March 25. 

 To register click HERE  –  Questions? contact: Kathryn 404-862-0118

Ossabaw Island and Mrs. Sandy West:

Mrs. Sandy West, the owner and Godmother of Ossabaw Island for most of a century, recently passed at age 106. Her life-long mission was to protect Ossabaw, one of Georgia’s largest coastal barrier islands, to ensure a safe haven for its natural ecosystems and all its inhabitants, as well as to provide a haven for students of nature and artists, and especially artists inspired by nature. Our ability to learn about and experience Ossabaw Island’s remarkable natural environment is made possible by Sandy West’s vision and dedication to protecting the island from development, and the on-going work of the Ossabaw Island Foundation.

All photos from previous trips to Ossabaw Island by Kathryn Kolb