Blog Archives

FORT MACON FALL BONANZA

9/27/2017

This site is never disappointing, but there are times when it is truly amazing!. Usually in the fall it is the place where I first see fall migrants here in eastern North Carolina. Last week Glyn and I spent a couple days in Atlantic Beach and I was able to spend a couple of hours each morning walking the trails. I found my first migrating warblers around the freshwater pond. they were feeding in the Red Cedars and Myrtles surrounding the pond and getting good photos was relatively easy. In addition to these welcome visitors, there were also quite a few of the Egrets and Herons that normally roost around the area, as well as other resident birds.

A special treat was a Merlin who flew in and landed only about 40 feet from me on one of the dead trees in the middle of the pond. I got several good photos. This is only the 2ond of these beautiful raptors that I have seen.

It was a great birding trip! The evolving fall foliage and the browning marsh grass along the trail by the Sound made this trail especially nice. It is a great time to visit this site if you can get there!! Enjoy the pics below.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER RECENT ENTRIES< OR CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON THE RIGHT.

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FALL FLOWERS IN THE FIELD

9/17/2017

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In late summer and early fall, The Field seems to come alive with a huge variety of colors. It seems to happen suddenly, or perhaps it is the gradual change of the general color of the field from the emerald green of summer to the yellow-brown of fall that offers a contrasting canvas that make the colors seem brighter. At any rate the mix of wild flowers and butterflies always capture my attention and I lose focus on my favorite targets--the birds. On my past several visits here, I find my camera pointed at these wild beauties. So today, I am dedicating this journal to these colorful bits of nature from God’s palliate.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE RECENT ENTRIES OR CLICK ON THE ARCHIVES TO THE RIGHT.

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FORT MACON FALL MIGRANTS

9/12/2017

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I always look forward to walking the trails at FORT MACON STATE PARK, N.C. during the fall migration. The birds you may see is pretty unpredictable. I especially enjoy the mix of warblers that show up here. I was on the trail last saturday morning with an early September morning temperature of a crisp 56 degrees. The early fall cool snap was a pleasant relief from recent hot summer days. It was the kind of morning that i know all birders love, with a promise of seeing the first migrants of the fall season. I was not disappointed. The warblers I saw included the Wilson, American Redstart, Prairie, and Yellow(did not get a pic of this one). Also saw male and female Painted Buntings who had not yet left on return to their winter home, as well as resident Grackles, RW Blackbirds, Kingbirds, House Finches, Starlings, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White Ibis, and Mourning Doves. There was also a high flying Royal Tern carrying a fish in its beak.

Catching my eye along the trail were a number of delicate pink morning glories being attacked by many yellow Sulfur butterflies, as well as other late summer flowers. The morning stayed cool and when Glyn arrived to pick me up, I hated to leave. If you can get to this site from now through October, you will have the chance to see these and other migrating species. Enjoy the pics below.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. SCROLL DOWN FOR PREVIOUS ENTRIES, OR CLICK ON THE ARCHIVES ON THE RIGHT.

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THE BASIN (OR HERMIT) TRAIL AT FORT FISHER

9/7/2017

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In 1956, Robert E. Harrill occupied a deserted WW II bunker near what is now the NC Aquarium property near Fort Fisher on the NC Southeast coast.He lived there as a hermit until 1972, becoming quite famous and attracting attention and many visitors who agreed with his views on society and government. The Basin Trail, which is a great hiking and birding trail, begins at the east side of the NC Aquarium and winds its way through the maritime forest and marsh past the Hermit Bunker at .8 miles and on to an observation deck at the Sound. Round trip on the trail is about 2.5 miles. The birding here is excellent for Shorebirds, Herons and Egrets, Ibis, Terns and Gulls, as well as Pelicans. This is a beautiful walk through pristine marsh environment.

I was here on Tuesday morning this week. I saw many White Ibis, as well as Egrets, Pelicans, Herons, Blackbirds, and a few others. Missing were Oystercatchers and Black Skimmers. It was high tide while I was there and the mudbanks were not visible. i always enjoy this isolated walk and the Hermit history here is very interesting. If you are visiting the Fort Fisher area, don’t miss this great birding trail. See pictures below.