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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Nature Notes: Coastal NC

I live in the central part of North Carolina which is the piedmont region. I went to the coastal ocean (Atlantic Beach, NC) for the weekend.
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It amused me to sit on the porch and watch the mockingbird, much as I do at home.
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One difference though is this mocking bird was a lot less jittery around me than the ones at home.
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I'm not sure what kind of bird was feasting in the sea oats.
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They were fun to watch. There were a lot of pelicans flying by when I sat on the porch.
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It's nice to be able to sit in a rocking chair and shoot the birds flying by.
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There were a lot of gulls as one would expect at the beach.
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I'm finally getting slightly better at capturing birds in flight with the camera I've had a little over a year.
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I love sea oats and enjoy photographing them at the beach.
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My state has many distinct ecological sections.
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The eastern part of the state comprises the coastal plane. The central part of the state is the piedmont plateau and the western part of the state has the Appalachian Highlands. Another time I'll try to get write more about the many ecosystems within those broad divisions. Maybe next week.
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One of the advantages to living in the central part of North Carolina is that it's an easy drive to the east for a beach trip and an easy trip to the western part of the state for mountain trips.
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I enjoyed seeing a group of willets.
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I had to ask my sister what kind of birds they were because I'm not used to seeing them.
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I read that at one point willets were threatened due to hunting in the late nineteenth century.
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After hunting wasn't an issue their numbers increased but they are still considered at risk due to loss of habitat.
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It's fun watching them stretching out their long legs.
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I saw gulls fishing but didn't get a shot of them with a fish.
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The next gull was taking a stroll on the beach.
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11 comments:

Leora said...

Lovely photos and observations. I especially like the one of the willet by the waving water. Looks relaxing, all that calm beach scenery.

NatureFootstep said...

how lucky you are. I have to make a 6h drive to see anything like it. :) Gorgeous shots.

??? said...

I think your sea oats birds are house sparrows.
The photo of the willet in front of the crashing wave is brilliant!

eileeninmd said...

I agree the oat birds are house srparrows, they seem to be everyhwere. My favorite are the Pelicans and the Willets are pretty. I love the beach shots. Wonderful post, Carver!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

So relaxing. Beautiful photography, and I like those Sea Oats shots!

Rambling Woods said...

I am so glad that you were able to get out of the heat or at least go to another area and enjoy. I admit I don't know a lot about NC so I enjoy learning more about it. Love the birds in flight and the sea oats and everything really...Michelle

Cynthia M. said...

Wow, that picture of the Willet with the wave crashing behind is beautiful! Love those gulls - are they laughing gulls? I feel like I don't see them that often here on the New England coasts.

Cezar and Léia said...

A poetic set of wonderful images!
Adorable birds!
Léia

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You are getting great with the flight shots -- one of my goals, someday to be able to do that! (Right now I'd settle for any bird shot at all.) We absolutely fell in love with sea oats when we made that trip up the east coast a couple of years ago -- it is sooo lovely! Sounds like you had a great relaxing weekend.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what lovely birds and sea views! Looks like a beautiful stretch of coastline!

Pat said...

What lovely shots of the shore and its inhabitants!