Herb River Marsh in Savannah, Georgia. This 24″ × 18″ work on canvas was created as a study for a friend who sees this scene daily when leaving their neighborhood near La Roche Avenue and Majestic Oaks Drive, close to Wylly Island. It was painted from reference photos taken during a visit, with plans to return for a plein air session in October 2026.
Don particularly liked the strong rule of thirds composition in this scene: the red-roofed dock house sits nicely in the lower left third, the deep blue sky occupies the upper third, and the horizon line rests in the bottom third. The vibrant reddish-orange roofs provide a strong complementary contrast against the deep blue sky, while the darker marsh grasses frame the lighter middle ground, drawing the eye naturally to the focal point.
About Herb River Marsh Herb River Marsh is part of the extensive tidal marsh system surrounding the Herb River, a tributary of the Wilmington River near Wylly Island in Savannah. This area was historically part of coastal rice and cotton plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries. The marshes were crisscrossed with canals and dikes built to control water flow for rice cultivation. Today, these protected wetlands are rich in wildlife and offer residents and visitors classic Lowcountry views that change beautifully with the tides.