Visitors 17
Modified 21-Feb-25
Created 17-Feb-25
36 photos

In February 2025, myself and two other photographers, Umit Yuksel and Jim Moran, visited the Georgia coastal area, including Darien, Sapelo Island, and Jekyll Island. Each of us was challenged to select 12 images of the many hundreds captured that would represent what we found unique during our 3-day visit. This gallery represents these 36 choices--much like in the "film days," when one had a roll of 36 exposure film to capture an experience. Although the three of us were photographing in close proximity to one another during much of this trip, we saw different things of interest as reflected in our individual choices.

The Georgia coast presents great opportunities to photograph the landscape, seascape, and cultural expression that dominates and defines this portion of the state. The coastal area is always in a flux of change, similar to the tides, yet at the same time, many places seem to remain the same. It is the uniqueness of this area that can be fascinating.

Both Sapelo Island and Jekyll Island are considered barrier islands, along with several others stretching along the Atlantic coast. Both islands are owned by the State of Georgia, with the exception of a portion of Sapelo, where Hog Hammock is a privately owned community belonging to the descendants of the former slaves and tenant farmers employed by the island's plantation owners in the 19th century. Visiting Sapelo Island requires a reservation and is accessible by ferry, while visiting Jekyll Island is always open to the public by crossing a causeway that connects to the Brunswick area. There is a small fee to enter the island at the end of the causeway.

Both islands have a rich history, as does the town of Darien. Darien is considered the unofficial fishing capital of Georgia, with a large fishing fleet based on the Darien River. Sapelo Island contains several significant features: Tens of thousands of acres that are designated for wildlife and timber; the University of Georgia Marine Institute; the R.J. Reynolds mansion; and the previously noted community of Hog Hammock. Jekyll Island has a large historic area containing restored homes and structures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, nature trails, public beaches and much more.

Altogether, a visit to the Georgia coast can be a fun and educational experience. I have been a regular visitor to this area for five decades, sometimes with fellow photographers. You can visit a few of my other galleries within my website that contain images from previous visits to this area, as well as Cumberland Island located south of Jekyll Island.
Enjoy!
David Batley
Sapelo Island Light - Infrared Image - David BatleyDriftwood Beach Sunrise (#1) - Jekyll Island - Umit YukselDarien River Boats- Jim MoranOld Rice Canal - Butler Plantation, Darien - Infrared Image - David BatleyGators on log - Jekyll Island - Umit YukselMonster - Jekyll Island - Jim MoranBeach and Dunes - Sapelo Island - Infrared Image - David BatleyDriftwood Beach Sunrise (#2) - Jekyll Island - Umit YukselSapelo Island Lighthouse - Jim MoranOld Boardwalk to the Beach - Sapelo Island - Infrared Image - David BatleyMorning - Sapelo Island - Umit YukselGoing Somewhere - Sapelo Island - Jim MoranMarsh View #1 - Sapelo Island - Infrared Image - David BatleySerenity - Darien River - Umit YukselDriftwood Beach (#2) -Jekyll Island - Jim MoranR.J. Reynolds Mansion - Sapelo Island - Infrared Image - David BatleyPeak-a-boo - Sunset, Jekyll Island - Umit YukselDarien River Fleet - Jim MoranSt. Luke's Church - Hog Hammock - Sapelo Island - Infrared Image - David BatleyRemnants - Sapelo Island Beach - Umit Yuksel