In my previous posts about Lake Mattamuskeet NWR I didn’t post any images of waterfowl… and lets be honest here what this location is best known for is waterfowl. So not wanting to disappoint here are a few images of swans and ducks… a compilation of my last two trips to the refuge.
As I’ve mentioned before the Neusiok Trail section along the Neuse river is my favorite section however, the section that crosses Mill Creek road and leads to the Newport river is a close second. The portion that I enjoy runs from a bit beyond the Blackjack Lodge, crosses Millcreek Road, and terminates at Oyster Point on the Newport River. Unfortunately, unless one has come down the Neusiok from further above, or back tracks up to the shelter and back, it’s not a convenient day hike. From the road to Oyster point, however, the trail runs 1.7 miles and makes a nice hike. By using the gravel road that runs back to the adjacent campground you can enjoy a nice loop through the Croatan Forest. Look for song birds, raptors, wild flowers, deer and fox along the trail.
Not so many years ago if someone said they’d seen a bald eagle their sanity would’ve been questioned. However, thanks to the hard work of conservationists around the country viewing an eagle is not such an unusual sight. In 1995 the Bald Eagle was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened.” On June 28, 2007 this majestic bird was removed from the Endangered and Threatened Species List. Females are up to 25% larger than adult males. Females may have a wingspan up to 96″ while adult males can have wingspans as small as 66″. Adult Bald Eagles, both male and female, have dark brown/black bodies with a white head and tail. In the wild thier average lifespan is around 20 years though at least one captive bird lived for nearly 50 years. While their primary diet is fish they will take advantage of carrion, particularly in the winter. They have been known to “steal” fish from egrets, herons and other birds. Below are pictured an adult and an immature Bald Eagle. While both were photographed near Lake Mattamuskeet I have seen Bald Eagles on three occassions around the Crystal Coast.
The Eastern Willet is a large migratory shore bird that is a member of the sandpiper family. While Willets will migrate as far south as Central and South America, they breed in salt marshes along the eastern US coast. There is also a Western variety that is slightly larger and has subtle differences in its markings. Willets were nearly hunted to extinction in the early 1900s but have made a nice come-back and are a common site along our beaches.
This bird was photographed along Bogue Banks, Atlantic Beach, NC. Rather than standing above the bird and ending up with a downwardly angled shot I am laying on the beach to get as close to an eye-level perspective as possible. At this location the beach inclined rather quickly so I’m probably a foot or two above the bird despite my prone position. Staying low not only offers a more pleasing perspective when photographing birds, it is less stressful to the animal. You can usually approach closer if you are low or, as in this case, the bird will make a closer approach to you.
I thought I might change up things a bit by posting a series of images of one of my favorite wading birds, the Great Egret. In the past the brid was known as the Great White Egret, Common Egret and even the Great White Heron. It is a common sight around the marshes, ponds and sounds of North Carolina. Standing 39″ tall with a 4 1/2 foot wingspan, it is a large white heron with a yellow bill and black legs. These birds feed in shallow waters primarily on fish and frogs. On land they may feed on insects, reptiles and small mammals. While now common in the southeast U.S. these birds were hunted to near extinction in the 1800s and early 1900s.
I took these shots at Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, near Fairfield, NC. The lake is well known for attracting tens of thousands of Tundra Swans every winter. The refuge attracts a wild array of other waterfowl, shore birds, raptors and song birds. On this particular day I observed both Great and Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tundra Swan, Coot, Canadian Geese, Bald Eagle, Comorants, American Kestrel and a variety of song birds. The causeway, NC Highway 94, provides some excllent viewing opportunities of the wildlife at this lake. There is a road that passes through the wildlife refuge that may also allow some looks at various birds on the property. Be aware that portions of the refuge are closed to the public during the fall/winter and there is waterfowl hunting allowed in the refuge by permit. Casual viewers are best advised to stick to the causeway and main access roads for wildlife observation.
Fort Macon State Park is probably best known for its Civil War era earthen mound fort. Used for military purposes not only during the War Between the States but during World War II. The facility also served as a military and civil prison during the late 1800s. The park includes a nice 1.5 mile stretch of undeveloped beach. The beach is popular with fishermen, swimmers and both nature and portrait photographers. It is an excellent location to view a variety of shore birds including gulls, brown pelicans, least sandpipers, sanderlings, and others. The park is home to 302 species of birds. The park’s plant life includes live oak, yaupon, cedar and black locust. While not one of eastern North Carolina’s wildest places, it is certainly a wonderful place to observe nature.
Below are pictured a Great Black-backed Gull and a Sanderling. At about 30″ the Black-backed Gull is the largest of the gulls. The Black-backed Gull winters in the Southeast, spending its summers in the Northeast. A small bird, Sanderlings are frequently seen running along the edges of the Carolina beaches in the winter. These small birds probe the sand with their bills searching for a meal of miniature mullusks, crustateans, worms and insects. Like the Great Black-backed Gull, Sanderlings winter in the Southeast. During the summer months these little birds spend their time on the artic tundra.
