Editing St. Simons, Georgia (section)

=== Ecology, vegetation, and wildlife ===
A diverse and complex [[ecology]] exists alongside residential and commercial development on St. Simons Island. The island shares many features common to the chain of [[Sea Islands|sea islands]] along the southeastern U.S. coast, such as sandy beaches on the ocean side, marshes to the west, and maritime forests inland. Despite centuries of agriculture and development, a canopy of [[live oak]]s and other hardwoods draped in [[Spanish moss]] continues to shade much of the island. The abundance of food provided by the marshes, [[Estuary|estuaries]], and vegetation attracts various wildlife on the land, sea, and in the air.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Sherpa Guides {{!}} Georgia {{!}} Coast {{!}} Southern Coast {{!}} St. Simons Island|url = http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/coast/southern_coast/st_simons_island.html|website = www.sherpaguides.com|access-date = 2016-01-02}}</ref>

Commonly sighted land and [[Amphibians|amphibious]] animals include [[white-tailed deer]], marsh [[rabbit]]s, [[raccoon]]s, [[mink]]s, [[alligator]]s, [[armadillo]]s, [[terrapin]]s and [[frog]]s. Overhead, along the shore, and in the marshes, a wide variety of native and migratory [[shorebirds]] can be seen year-round. Species include [[sandpiper]]s, [[plover]]s, [[tern]]s, [[gull]]s, [[heron]]s, [[egret]]s, [[hawk]]s, [[osprey]]s, [[cormorant]]s, [[American white ibis|white ibis]], [[brown pelican]]s, and the [[Bald eagle|southern bald eagle]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Gould's Inlet, St. Simons Island|url = http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/wildlife_viewing/colonial_coast/67.html|website = www.sherpaguides.com|access-date = 2016-01-02}}</ref>

The area surrounding St. Simons Island and the Altamaha River delta is an important stopover for migrating shorebirds traveling between [[South America]] and their spawning grounds in the [[Canadian Arctic Lands|Canadian arctic]]. As a result of all this avian activity, Gould's Inlet and East Beach on St. Simons Island have designated stops on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Georgia's Colonial Coast Birding Trail {{!}} Georgia DNR - Wildlife Resources Division|url = http://georgiawildlife.com/node/1344|website = georgiawildlife.com|access-date = 2016-01-02}}</ref>

The waters off St. Simons Island are likewise home to a great variety of sea life, including [[dolphin]]s, [[right whale]]s, a wide diversity of [[Game fish|gamefish]], and the occasional [[manatee]]. On late spring and summer nights, [[loggerhead sea turtle]]s arrive on the beach to lay their eggs. Area naturalists monitor and protect nests, and guided turtle walks are available. Shrimping is still important to the region, and shrimp boats are often seen just off the beaches.

Like most barrier islands, St. Simons Island beaches constantly shift as tides, wind, and storms move tons of sand annually. Along with umbrellas and folding chairs, beach-goers can encounter fast-moving [[ghost crab]]s, [[sand dollar]]s, giant [[horseshoe crab]]s, and moving [[conch]] shells powered by resident [[hermit crab]]s. [[Sea oats]] and [[Morning glory|morning glories]] cover the [[dune]]s along East Beach. Jumping [[Mullet (fish)|mullet]] and tiny [[bait fish]] populate the coastal waters. [[Dolphin]] sightings are common, particularly off the island's south coast.