♪ On the southern tip of South Carolina lies one of the most unique ecosystems with diverse wildlife and variety of landscapes.

Peaceful Beaches, swampy marshlands, and coastal forests stretch across the state's 187 miles of coastline.

The quintessence of which is none other than?

Hunting Island, now seen.

From the Sky!

♪ Hunting Island is a 5,000-acre semitropical barrier island that became a state park in 1935.

The centerpiece of the island is the 136-foot lighthouse located just off the shore.

The original structure was built in 1859, but was later rebuilt in 1875 after its destruction during the civil war.

It was uniquely designed in interchangeable cast-iron parts, each weighing upwards of 1200 pounds.

During its operational life, the rotating lamp inside the lighthouse would have been visible from 17 miles.

After deactivation, it was later opened to the public and is currently the only lighthouse in South Carolina that can be accessed by visitors.

Today, guests of the park can climb 167 steps to the top of the observation deck for an impressive, panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Further inland, the area is dominated by mudflats and the winding pools of the marshland.

On the boardwalks, wetland birds like the great blue heron, can be seen in the cordgrass, searching for their next meal.

Further down the pathways, the dense maritime forest offers protection from the predators.

The trees reaching the canopy of the forest have thinner leaves to absorb maximum exposure, while trees near the forest floor have broader leaves so they can try and soak up what bit of sunlight slips through.

Towards the shoreline, a saltwater lagoon sits between the beach and forest.

Created by sand dredging, the lagoon used to be separated completely from the Atlantic Ocean but now the sea breaches part of the shore and converges with the lagoon.

Its quiet atmosphere and thriving fish population make it the perfect place for anglers or visitors looking to relax near water but away from the surf.

Though the island has a very serene sensation, it's experienced its fair share of violent weather and dramatic changes over the years.

There's no place more evident of this change than a small stretch of beach on the south side of the island named,"The Boneyard".

Hundreds of fallen pine and palmetto trees scatter the shoreline.

The exposed roots of the dead trees twist around each other creating an eerie yet elegant display.

This is the aftereffect of climate change.

Beach erosion cuts into the maritime forest reshaping the island.

Every year, nearly 15 feet of forest will be lost due to the shifting sands leaving only skeletons of the woods behind.

There are few other places in South Carolina with such breathtaking sights and diverse habitats.

Hunting Island is an enchanting paradise, a utopia to lay eyes on.

From the Sky!

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