Last week, my son, Kyle, called and said he just lost his best friend on Jekyll Island.
He was heading over there and we started asking him questions - like who it was and what happened?
Then he told us the rest of the story. His favorite and most photographed tree on Driftwood Beach was knocked down by the storm Hurricane Debby.
Ever since he started taking pictures, this tree has been one of his most photographed subjects and he was really going to hate seeing it down.
He has photographed it at all times of the day and night and there is no telling how many images he has taken of it. He is not the only one.
Many people have traveled from far distances to come take people pictures, wedding pictures and engagement photos. I’ve even heard someone saw some nude pictures being taken at it one time.
The Brunswick News got information about the tree and contacted Kyle about doing an article and using his picture on the front page of their paper last week. This tree has helped attract tourists and locals alike to come over to their beaches.
Now, the Jekyll Island Authority has started a photo contest to keep the trees’ memory alive. The selected winner will have a photo mural hanging inside the island’s next public safety complex.
• Wayne Morgan is freelance wildlife photographer and author.
