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"The key to conserving the natural world
is getting people in it having a good time."
H. Costa
Captain of the Skimmer |
Captain Costa is a dedicated naturalist
who enjoys guiding each and every trip aboard the Skimmer-twelve years
worth and counting. "I know what’s out there and I know what I want my
guests to see. I don’t want them to miss a thing. Often someone makes a
comment like ‘you must really love dolphins.’ Well I do, but I get just
as excited about shorebirds or mink or sparrows or shrimp."
"Growing up on the marsh in Charleston
led to ‘pluff mud’ flowing through my veins. When I guide a trip I’m
drawing on experiences that go back to my childhood. Years spent
living, working, and traveling extensively in Alaska and the Caribbean
help to add perspective. Few places can rival the quality wildlife
viewing offered by the Carolina coast."
" ‘How do you know so much’ is a
frequently asked question, and it is a disappointment for many of my
guests to learn that most of what I know comes from being out there and
looking around. Having a degree in Marine Biology or Ornithology would
be a more satisfying answer. ‘ Being out there’ is however the key to
being a good naturalist. Another river channel to knowledge is talking
to the right people, their insights and experiences are invaluable. Of
course I do my own research and yes, I have a degree, a B.S. in
Chemistry from the College of Charleston. I explain it as a curiosity
about the deeper workings of things." |
