Wide beaches juxtaposed between partially vegetated sand dunes and the Atlantic ocean characterize the Outer Banks.
4 March 2006From the Virginia border down the barrier islands to Ocracoke, North Carolina's Outer Banks is one of the premier destinations in the Eastern U.S. for birds and birders.
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Wide beaches juxtaposed between partially vegetated sand dunes and the Atlantic ocean characterize the Outer Banks. 4 March 2006 |
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In winter, many gulls may be found on the NC beaches. From RIGHT to LEFT: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull 4 March 2006 |
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Although this was taken on a perfectly sunny day, the thick haze seen along the horizon was from a huge plume of smoke from a controlled burn on the mainland near Alligator River NWR and the U.S. Navy Bombing Range in Dare Co. 4 March 2006 |
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Here's another view of the smoke plume from the controlled burn on the mainland. This photo was taken from offshore. 5 March 2006 |
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Fishing piers, like this one in Avon, NC, can be great places to bird, attracting gulls and sometimes sea ducks or alcids in the winter. |
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Many winged horse statues can be found here, especially along the northern Outer Banks. Click here for more photos and information about the "winged horses of the Outer Banks." |
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Brackish marsh near Wanchese, NC is prime Black Rail habitat. 4 March 2006 |
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The Outer Banks have several very popular lighthouses, including this northernmost one at Corolla. Click here for more NC lighthouse photos. |
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Bodie Island Lighthouse 4 March 2006 |
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The Bodie Island marsh & ponds attract many species of birds from rails & raptors to wigeon & waders. Just before sunset on 10 Nov 2006 |
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Oregon Inlet separates Bodie Island from Pea Island. Looking north in the distance in this photo, the Bodie Island lighthouse can be seen. 10 Dec 2005 |
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Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of the reasons that the Outer Banks is one of the best birding locations in the eastern U.S. 4 March 2006 |
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The old coast guard station at the north end of Pea Island (just south of the Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet) is both an Outer Banks icon and a great birding area. 10 Dec 2005 |
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Since it was decomissioned many years ago, the shifting sand dunes are taking over the old coast guard station. 10 Dec 2005 |
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Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 10 Dec 2005 |
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North Pond, one of 3 impoundments on the refuge, harbours thousands of ducks, swans, geese, shorebirds, etc., depending on the time of year. 4 March 2006 |
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Wide dikes with observation platforms make for excellent birding access. South dike, North Pond4 March 2006 |
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The north dike of North Pond at Pea Island 10 Dec 2005 |
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Buxton Woods Nature Trail near Cape Hatteras Point goes through some excellent maritime forest habitat and can be a great place for migrant songbirds. 4 March 2006 |
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Typical maritime forest with Live Oak, Yaupon Holly, and Wax Myrtle at Cape Hatteras. 4 March 2006 |
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest and most famous of all of the Outer Banks lighthouses. 4 March 2006 |
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Around Thanksgiving 2006, several days of stormy, easterly winds & rain flooded the Cape Point area for weeks! This is the traditional parking area/fish cleaning station near ramp 44. 3 Dec 2006 |
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 4 March 2006 |
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 4 March 2006 |
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 8 Nov 2007 |
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A large salt pond exists very near Cape Hatteras Point. This pond often hosts a wide variety of birds and has hosted many rare birds over the years. |
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Dune vegetation at Cape Hatteras Point 4 March 2006 |
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Dune vegetation at Cape Hatteras Point 4 March 2006 |
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Sunset over North Pond Impoundment on Pea Island 4 March 2006 |
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Sunset over North Pond Impoundment on Pea Island 2 Dec 2006 |
Created on ... March 7, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu