Save Turtles…and the Environment. Help Keep the Outer Banks Beaches Clean.

Posted on March 7, 2011

Outer Banks N.E.S.T

The North Carolina Aquarium encourages Outer Banks residents and visitors to help keep the OBX beaches clean and save the endangered sea turtles by picking up trash. In an effort to raise money and awareness, the NC Aquarium is accepting specific pieces of trash in exchange for funds directed towards the endangered sea turtles.

With limited volunteers The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) has already raised over $100 by sending in granola bar wrappers and Frito-Lay chip bags.

If you want to help out review the list of acceptable items to be donated and once you have saved up a stash, send them to Christian Legner at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

P.O. Box 967 Manteo, North Carolina 27954.

Please make sure wrappers and chip bags are separated from each other. Thanks!

Here is a list of items that can be donated:

• Any granola, power, nut, or Clif bar with a foil lining.

• Any Frito Lay bag. No other chip companies.

Donate Wrapers

• No candy or cookie wrappers.

Cannot Donate Wrapers

Whales on the Outer Banks

Posted on March 4, 2011

The Outer Banks offers an endless array of nature; mile upon mile of empty beaches, miles of national conservation land, shifting sand dunes, a plethora of birds, and unlimited sea life. A nature lovers paradise.

The ocean is a great sight to see on a daily basis. It reminds you of the true size of the world with its endless horizons, and it is always moving, always changing. The winter months seem to offer an increase in ocean activity. Winds are blowing, storms are brewing, and sea creatures are on the move.

I won’t pretend to understand the oceanographic or biologic reasoning behind the sea creatures activities, but there is an increase in activity during the winter…I suspect migration, but I’ll leave that to the experts. I’m more focused on how cool it is to see these amazing animals in their natural environments. It is not uncommon to see seals taking a rest on the OBX beaches (please don’t attempt to touch them), and large schools of dolphin in the distance playing, but my favorite sitings are the whales!

Whales are amazing. So big, yet so graceful. Check out the picture below of a whale leaping out of the water in front of our friends on the Rock Solid fishing boat (www.RockSolidFishing.com). Amazing!

Whale on the Outer Banks

Outer Banks: 3rd Annual Jockey’s Ridge Oyster Roast & Recycling

Posted on March 3, 2011

Outer Banks - Jockey's Ridge Oyster Roast & Recycling - 2011

Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Located in Nags Head, it is one of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Always changing, always beautiful

3rd Annual George Barnes Valentine’s Day Oyster Roast & Recycling: Saturday, March 5, 2011. 10-2 p.m. rain or shine. Eat oysters and help the local ecosystem by planting & creating new environments for the oysters. Bagging of Oysters for a new reef will be taking place; you are welcome to bring gloves to join in.

Wild Oysters on the Road to Extinction?! At Least the Outer Banks Still Sees Some Abundance.

Posted on February 17, 2011

Outer Banks Oyster Roast

Are we on the brink of a wild oyster apocalypse?! Within one week, I have come across two articles discussing the possibility that wild oysters are approaching extinction. Say it aint so!

The simple pleasure of fresh oysters help us OBX’ers make it through the chilly winter months. Extinction should not be an option, but according to a new study, wild oysters are well on their way.

A team of researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz have examined 144 locations in 40 regions around the world where the wild oysters once thrived. The study found that overall conditions are poor for many species of wild oysters – so poor that the team deemed wild oysters to be functionally extinct, which means they no longer play a significant role in the ecosystem.

Functionally extinct?! No significant role in the ecosystem?! This is may seem trivial at first glance, but this is huge. Oysters are not only tasty, but they are also vital to healthy ecosystems…at least they used to be. Oysters filter impurities from the water, and this natural filtering system helps keep fish populations healthy and helps prevent coastal erosion. Pretty key elements of a coastal community.

Oysters are fast disappearing as 85 percent of the reefs that they inhabit have been destroyed by disease and over-harvesting, and the Gulf oil spill did huge damage to the oyster population in the Gulf region. The researchers recommend ratcheting up efforts in reef conservation, fisheries management and controlling the spread of non-native shellfish.

But. To end on a positive note, with some increased awareness and adjustments to regulations, it’s still possible to bring wild oysters back from the brink of extinction. And from the perspective of the Outer Banks, we are happy to report that oyster season was pretty decent this year. Good enough in fact to place a local restaurant, Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, on Eater.com’s list of top restaurants to enjoy the dwindling supply of wild oysters.

Outer Banks Snow Report – 2/10/2011 – Beach, surf, & fishing are taking a snow day!

Posted on February 10, 2011

Outer Banks - 2.10.11 - Snow at Avalon Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Snow Report for Thursday, February 10, 2011.

This video was shot at the Wright Brothers Monument and the Avalon Pier (both in Kill Devil Hills) at 9:00 AM this morning.

The Outer Banks has turned into a winter wonderland. Snow is falling and the wind is blowing. There’s a heavy wind coming out of the north at 20+ mph, and about an inch of the white stuff is on the ground.

No sledding at the Wright Brothers Monument yet, but the kids are out of school today, so I suspect there will be some flying down the hill soon.

No surf today. The fish are still biting, but boats won’t be able to make it out of Oregon Inlet, so the fishing is on hiatus today as well.

The snow is pretty, but I’m ready for spring. Bring on the sunny, warm weather. The good news is the sun will return tomorrow and stay through the weekend, and temps will climb back to the 50′s by the weekend.

Enjoy the snow while it lasts!

Outer Banks - Wright Brother Monument in the Snow - 2.10.11

Outer Banks Wildlife & Nature Documentary

Posted on January 25, 2011

Refuge Pea Island - Hurricane Bill Filming on the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is home to an amazing amount of undisturbed nature and wildlife. Mile upon mile of empty beaches and natural conservation land. It seems like someone should make a movie about the abundance of OBX nature.

Bingo!

STRS Productions, a professional film development team based in North Carolina, released their newest documentary in late 2010, and the movie focuses on the wildlife available in Pea Island Refuge located on the southern portion of the Outer Banks.

From the STRS website: The new release Refuge Pea Island is the third to be released of the series of films that will be covering our beautiful National Wildlife Refuges in eastern North Carolina. Refuge the series concentrates on the wonderful wildlife that can be seen while visiting one of these majestic places.

The trailer looks amazing, and I can guarantee any OBX lover will be hooked in seconds. Here’s the description of the movie from the trailer:

“Witness wildlife as it was meant to be seen. Third in the “REFUGE” series, Pea Island lies off the coast of North Carolina where wildlife abounds and the environment is ever changing. Award winning film makers Blake and Emily Scott once again deliver. A year in the making, covering all four seasons, narrated by Denise Kelly, and filmed in High Definition completely without baiting, blinds, or staging. The power of the Atlantic Ocean is felt in dramatic footage of a hurricane and ‘noreasters battering the coastline, and full of astonishing shots of maritime wildlife that includes Finback Whales, Harbor Seals, Loggerhead Turtles and an incredible sampling of bird life. REFUGE – Pea Island captures all the drama and beauty that exists on this coastal treasure. To purchase a copy of this film on DVD go to www.refugewildlife.com.”

For more information about the filmmakers and the film-making process, here’s a great interview with Emily Scott, one of the husband-wife film-making team.

Nags Head Woods – The Hidden Oasis

Posted on December 22, 2010

Nags Head Woods

A couple years ago I wrote an internationally acclaimed article about Nags Head Woods. The article was such a big hit that it spread around the world overnight!

Nah, I’m just kidding. I wrote it for our 2008 brochure, and it might have spread up the east coast over the course of a year. Dare to dream!

I was reminded of my article a couple days ago when I saw a similar piece in the Charlotte Observer titled “Nags Head Hides an Oasis.” The Observer points out much of the same information I did, but that striking point to me is that this “oasis” is so little known.

Nags Head Woods is such a hidden gem. It’s well known (but under utilized) by locals, but I’m not sure that many vacationers know it’s there. There isn’t much signage, and it’s hidden behind a neighborhood, but it is easily accessible…and free. (As a side note, it is on the same road as the amazing Outer Banks Christmas House. Just drive by the Christmas House, and you’ll drive right into Nags Head Woods.)

Nags Head Woods is such a stark contrast to it’s surroundings. I would hardly classify the Outer Banks as overdeveloped, but there is a short stretch in Kill Devil Hills, aka “French Fry Alley,” that does give that overdeveloped feel. Yet, in the heart of French Fry Alley is the turn off for a 1,400 acre wooded, nature preserve! And please allow me to stress wooded. We’re at the beach! 1,400 acres of woods at the beach seems to defy nature, but there it is, awaiting your relaxing stroll.

The Observer article is well worth the read. As it points out, there’s a lot to see and do in the woods…assuming you like all that nature junk.

1,400 acres
More than 5 miles of trails
300 species of plants
150 species of birds
More than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians.

You’ll be hard pressed to find more natural diversity anywhere else on the East Coast.

Watching the Lunar Eclipse from the Outer Banks

Posted on December 20, 2010

Total Lunar Eclipse

There’s a lot of activity in the sky these days, and the Outer Banks is an ideal stargazing spot to take in the heavenly displays. Remote, quiet, dark, few tall buildings to block the view, and even fewer people to share the empty beaches with.

Last week we had the pleasure of watching the Geminids meteor shower, and this week, we have the opportunity to witness the first full lunar eclipse to occur on the winter solstice in 372 years…not since 1638! Pretty cool. And there won’t be another total lunar eclipse visible from North America until April 2014.

The Earth’s shadow will begin to block out the moon at 1:32 AM EST. During totality, when the Earth is directly between the moon and the sun, the moon will turn a rusty orange-red for 72 minutes from 2:41 AM to 3:53 AM EST. It will be a chilly night, so if you’re only looking for a quick glimpse of the eclipse, bundle up and look up at 3:17 AM EST when the moon will be in deepest shadow and displaying its best orange glow.

And in true infomercial format, “Wait, there’s more!” Not only can we enjoy a full lunar eclipse, but there’s another meteor shower! A two-for-one deal!

The Geminids meteor shower is more well-known because it tends to be more visually pleasing, but there is also another notable meteor shower that occurs during December, the Ursids. The peak of this meteor display usually occurs on the night of Dec. 22 to Dec. 23. While the Ursids would normally be difficult to see during this time because of bright light from the full moon, the total lunar eclipse could offer a chance to catch a glimpse.

The Ursids meteors will appear around the North Star. So, if you’re taking in the rare lunar eclipse and see a shooting star coming out of the north, congrats, you just saw a total lunar eclipse, on the winter solstice, and a meteor shower all in one night!

Awesome.

See you on the beach! Well, probably not, it will be dark, and the beach is a big place, but hopefully you see some fun displays in the sky tonight.

2010 Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Chart

Watching the Meteor Shower from the Outer Banks

Posted on December 10, 2010

Outerr Banks - Geminid Meteor Shower

The Outer Banks is a pretty stellar spot for stargazing (like that play on words?). It’s quiet and remote with little light pollution. On a clear night, it’s great any time of year, but on Monday, December 13, 2010, it could be pretty amazing.

Now, this will take some effort (bundling up and staying up late), but on the evening of 12/13, weather permitting, the best meteor shower of 2010 should be highly visible from the OBX, the Geminid meteor shower.

The Geminids will be at their best after midnight (early on the morning of Dec. 14), when the Earth is heading directly into the meteoroid stream. But some will be visible earlier in the night, on the evening of Dec. 13.

So, have an extra cup of coffee to keep you up, or an extra in the morning to open your eyes, grab your coat, mittens, and a blanket and head outside on Monday. Mother Nature will reward you for your effort.

Tips:

1. Dress warmly — much more warmly than the weather might normally make you think — because you won’t be moving much.

2. Make yourself comfortable so that you can watch the sky: A lawn chair with a reclining back is ideal. And a blanket or a sleeping bag will help keep you warm.

3. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope; in fact these will prevent you from seeing the meteors by restricting your field of view. You want the wide field given by the human eyeball.

4. It doesn’t really matter much which part of the sky you watch, as the meteors can appear anywhere.

5. Most importantly, be patient. It takes a while for your eyes to adapt to darkness. Then, there are often long periods with no meteors at all. But when the action starts, it’s a pretty amazing show.

6. If you’re clouded out on Dec. 13 or 14, try the night before or the night after: There still should be quite a few Geminids about.

Have fun. Hope the skies are clear for you.

Outer Banks: Sunday Afternoon Fun at the Beach

Posted on October 19, 2010

Outer Banks Wide Open Spaces

Fall has settled on the Outer Banks, and with it comes perfect OBX beach weather.

This past weekend brought bright sun, blue skies, warm temps in the 70′s, and a light off-shore wind cleaning up waist high waves. A perfect day to enjoy the sun and take in the sights.

The beach is always interesting. Never know what will turn up. A nature exhibit, interesting people watching, great surfing? Who knows?

This past Sunday we had it all. Wide open spaces, a sea turtle boil, hula hoopers, a jet ski pulling a dude on a surfboard, some surfers, lots of people watching, and some quality time with the family.

Here’s a quick picture essay of the days events.

Enjoy.