Cumberland Island Georgia Photos Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where the following three characteristics can be found: large quantities of sand persistent wind capable of moving the sand suitable locations for sand to accumulate The process of dune formation begins with a steady on-shore wind capable of moving sand. The wind moves the sand into piles. Eventually the sand pile becomes so steep that the leeward side of the sand pile collapses under its own weight and spills down at an angle that serves to stabilize the dune. Over time, the dune migrates in the direction of the wind, as the wind moves sand up the dune's slope and over the edge. Sand dunes often form around obstructions such as rocks, drift wood, decaying plant matter, and detritus that is washed up during high-tide. This decaying plant matter forms a perfect substrate for plants to set root. Plants the first set root in sand dunes are referred to as pioneer plants and are often grasses that have special adaptations for the harsh environment of the dune (high salt tolerance, waxy leaves that retain water, rolled leaves to reduce surface area and exposure to evaporation). These pioneer plants stabilize the dune. Their roots bind the sand and their leaves decrease wind speed and reduce erosion. After pioneer plants stabilize the dune, it becomes more habitable for other plants to move in. A progression of vegetation types set hold onto the dune, each changing the substrate's characteristics and structure, gradually making the dune suitable for the next vegetation type. Sand dunes, though dynamic, are fragile habitats. The mat of vegetation covering a dune is vital to reducing dune erosion and if this vegetation is disturbed or uprooted, the dune is destroyed.

Cumberland Island, Georgia

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

"Wild horses on the beach on Cumberland island, Georgia."

Wild horses roam in the sand dunes on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Wild Horse grazing at Dungeness Ruins on Cumberland Island National Seashore

Southeast Georgia coastal river through the marsh.

Trees with Spanish Moss

A solitary male runner out for a training run on rural road at sunset on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.

View through the dunes of people walking on the Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In background you can see Cumberland Island were JK Jr. got married.

A solitary male runner out for a training run on rural road at sunset on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.

Cumberland Island, GA, USA - April 28, 2014: The horse are a band of ferel animals, descendants from the horses brought by the English in the 18th century

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

Wild horses on the beach at Cumberland Island, Georgia

Grand oak trees of coastal Georgia. This one is at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

The view right as you step off the ferry at beautiful Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

Sea birds on the barrier islands of Coastal Georgia.

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where the following three characteristics can be found: large quantities of sand persistent wind capable of moving the sand suitable locations for sand to accumulate The process of dune formation begins with a steady on-shore wind capable of moving sand. The wind moves the sand into piles. Eventually the sand pile becomes so steep that the leeward side of the sand pile collapses under its own weight and spills down at an angle that serves to stabilize the dune. Over time, the dune migrates in the direction of the wind, as the wind moves sand up the dune's slope and over the edge. Sand dunes often form around obstructions such as rocks, drift wood, decaying plant matter, and detritus that is washed up during high-tide. This decaying plant matter forms a perfect substrate for plants to set root. Plants the first set root in sand dunes are referred to as pioneer plants and are often grasses that have special adaptations for the harsh environment of the dune (high salt tolerance, waxy leaves that retain water, rolled leaves to reduce surface area and exposure to evaporation). These pioneer plants stabilize the dune. Their roots bind the sand and their leaves decrease wind speed and reduce erosion. After pioneer plants stabilize the dune, it becomes more habitable for other plants to move in. A progression of vegetation types set hold onto the dune, each changing the substrate's characteristics and structure, gradually making the dune suitable for the next vegetation type. Sand dunes, though dynamic, are fragile habitats. The mat of vegetation covering a dune is vital to reducing dune erosion and if this vegetation is disturbed or uprooted, the dune is destroyed.

A group of shore birds (Terns) on a coastal Georgia beach.

The southern tip of Georgia's Jekyll Island juts into Jekyll Sound, with Cumberland Island visible in the distance.

The historic Avenue of Oaks of St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Dungeness was built by Thomas Carnegie and his wife Lucy In 1884. The Carnegie Dungeness burned in the 1950s. Today, wild horses and other island wildlife roam freely throughout the ruins and along the beach. Glimpses of the Carnegie lifestyle can be easily imagined throughout the ruins of Dungeness.

A solitary male runner out for a training run on beach at sunset on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.

Cumberland Island has one of the largest maritime forests remaining in the United States. High winds, salt spray, and sandy soil provide a harsh environment for plant life.

"The feral horses of Cumberland Island, Georgia are thought to be ancestors of horses either shipwrecked or abandoned there by Spanish explorers in the 1500's. Plantation owners who tried to make a living on the island also left horses behind. Over time the horses grew feral. Today there are around 150 wild horses living on the island. They live off of the wild sea oats and dune grasses that are found on the beaches. The two horses in this photo had been grazing on the beach and were starting to move into the dunes for longer grass. It is interesting to watch them stand on the beaches and enjoy the ocean breezes. Often they will lay down to rest in the wind. These wild horses are not afraid of people, in fact they act like they own the island. Park Rangers warn that if you come across them to yield the way because they won't! Cumberland Island's wild horses are a wonderful and amazing addition to the incredible beauty of this east coast barrier island."

Cumberland Island, GA, USA - April 28, 2014: Palm trees and lawns around the ruins of Dungeness Mansion. Built in 1884 by Thomas M. Carnegie. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886

Pair of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) on the Beach - Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Wild Horse in front of Dungeness Ruins Historical Site - Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Rear view of solitary male riding bike on wooded trail on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.

Beach dunes with Sea oats along the coast of Georgia

A solitary male runner out for a training run on rural road at sunset on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.

Sea Oats on the dunes of barrier island along the Southern East Coast.

Grand oak trees of coastal Georgia. This one is at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

A Snowy Egret looks out over a coastal salt marsh from the piling of an old dock.

Christ Church, located on Saint Simons Island in southeast Georgia.

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where the following three characteristics can be found: large quantities of sand persistent wind capable of moving the sand suitable locations for sand to accumulate The process of dune formation begins with a steady on-shore wind capable of moving sand. The wind moves the sand into piles. Eventually the sand pile becomes so steep that the leeward side of the sand pile collapses under its own weight and spills down at an angle that serves to stabilize the dune. Over time, the dune migrates in the direction of the wind, as the wind moves sand up the dune's slope and over the edge. Sand dunes often form around obstructions such as rocks, drift wood, decaying plant matter, and detritus that is washed up during high-tide. This decaying plant matter forms a perfect substrate for plants to set root. Plants the first set root in sand dunes are referred to as pioneer plants and are often grasses that have special adaptations for the harsh environment of the dune (high salt tolerance, waxy leaves that retain water, rolled leaves to reduce surface area and exposure to evaporation). These pioneer plants stabilize the dune. Their roots bind the sand and their leaves decrease wind speed and reduce erosion. After pioneer plants stabilize the dune, it becomes more habitable for other plants to move in. A progression of vegetation types set hold onto the dune, each changing the substrate's characteristics and structure, gradually making the dune suitable for the next vegetation type. Sand dunes, though dynamic, are fragile habitats. The mat of vegetation covering a dune is vital to reducing dune erosion and if this vegetation is disturbed or uprooted, the dune is destroyed.

Seagulls and Oyster Catchers on the beach at Cumberland Island, Georgia

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

Vibrant green marsh grass lines the edge of a creek in a coastal salt marsh.

Mrs. Carnegie released her wild horses on Cumberland Island after she died in the early 1900's. A herd of wild horeses is still there, fending for and feeding themselves (National Park).

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

"Back lit young woman standing under large Oak tree. Shot during sunset close to shore on Cumberland Island, GA. Tilt/shift lens."

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

A soft focus image of a Great Egret in flight.

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

Armadillo with a drip coming out of its nose. Digital imae shot in color during the daytime on Cumberland Island in Georgia

Cylindrical fecal pellets of ghost shrimp, in a somewhat rectangular arrangement outside the hole in which it hides. Photo taken at Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Fatbike riding on the beaches of Cumberland Island, one of the barrier islands of Georgia.

A simple afternoons shot taken across a section of the beach on beautiful Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Tree trunks being buried by windblown beach sand lie among washed up debris high up on the beach. Photo taken at Cumberland Island National Seashore

Georgia

Cumberland Island National Seashore, located in the state of Georgia, is famous for its vast beaches, its extensive trail network, and also for its resident population of wild horses and other wildlife

A walkway stretching out to the sea on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Storm clouds gather over a coastal salt marsh in Georgia.

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where the following three characteristics can be found: large quantities of sand persistent wind capable of moving the sand suitable locations for sand to accumulate The process of dune formation begins with a steady on-shore wind capable of moving sand. The wind moves the sand into piles. Eventually the sand pile becomes so steep that the leeward side of the sand pile collapses under its own weight and spills down at an angle that serves to stabilize the dune. Over time, the dune migrates in the direction of the wind, as the wind moves sand up the dune's slope and over the edge. Sand dunes often form around obstructions such as rocks, drift wood, decaying plant matter, and detritus that is washed up during high-tide. This decaying plant matter forms a perfect substrate for plants to set root. Plants the first set root in sand dunes are referred to as pioneer plants and are often grasses that have special adaptations for the harsh environment of the dune (high salt tolerance, waxy leaves that retain water, rolled leaves to reduce surface area and exposure to evaporation). These pioneer plants stabilize the dune. Their roots bind the sand and their leaves decrease wind speed and reduce erosion. After pioneer plants stabilize the dune, it becomes more habitable for other plants to move in. A progression of vegetation types set hold onto the dune, each changing the substrate's characteristics and structure, gradually making the dune suitable for the next vegetation type. Sand dunes, though dynamic, are fragile habitats. The mat of vegetation covering a dune is vital to reducing dune erosion and if this vegetation is disturbed or uprooted, the dune is destroyed.

A young caucasian couple walk their bicycles down a dirt path towards the Dungeness ruins. Located on Cumberland Island, Georgia, the ruins are what remain of an old mansion built by Thomas Carnegie. Today they are a popular tourist destination and are maintained by the National Park Service.