Some more....

Some more photos from Huntington Beach park, because there was more to be seen than the ospreys. Lots of Great Egrets for instance....







And a Belted Kingfisher



A Snowy Egret



Who got some fishing companion ship from an Ibis.



And that Ibis called his friends to join him. Because just minutes after him landing along the bank, a flock of Ibises landed right next to him.



The young White Ibis was making a splash.



And a smart Little Blue Heron joined them. But must have felt like the blue sheep of the family.



And separated himself quickly from the group.



Later that afternoon I walked for a bit on the beach. Which is beautiful. Lots of shore birds there.



Normally I am always accompanied by the dogs so I don't see shore birds sleeping that much.



But love the serenity they have over them when they do.





A bit of stretching going on after the power nap.



Besides sleeping shorebirds it was the first I ever saw a mushroom growing at the beach. Who knew?



Then I had to walk back a bit faster then planned. Because it was almost sunset time and wanted to watch that over the marshes. Had a feeling that would be a special place to do so. There are nice boardwalks over the marshes at Huntington and so I headed that way.



This seagull had the same idea as I did and decided to keep me company.


The little Blue Herons grouped up and flew to their overnight spot. And so did the White Ibises. Both in opposite directions....





And what a beautiful sunset over the marshes.....

Fly by

Last week I went to South Carolina and visited Huntington Beach State Park. Huntington is right at the beach and offers great views over the marshes. With lots of waterfowl to be admired. When I just drove in to the park I was greeted by an osprey. So rushed to park the car and was rewarded by a fly by.....





And not by one, there must have been an osprey meeting going on, because at one point there were three of them flying right in front of me. So cool!







Don't know how to explain but it sure gave me a humble feeling to see them flying this close. It was low tide and definitely feeding time. Lucky me, to be there and witness it all.

Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Last week I went to Fort Fisher in North Carolina. I usually go to the beach but this time I took a walk around the old fort and went in to see the exhibit which b.t.w. is free of entry.



The trees on the grounds are just fascinating. The wind has blown them all in the same direction.

The drama in them is just screaming to make pictures of.




This fence has dealt with its share of wind too I suppose.




These two came to check the photographer out and posed in the perfect light for a bit.  And I spotted a standard "Bird on a wire", near the parking. Which looked like it bowed when I made the picture. 



Besides all the history that was made around this place, it really is a great area to explore a bit and I so enjoyed the walk.






It already was later in the day so decided to watch the sunset from Battery Buchanan point. Right next to the Port Fisher/Southport Ferry. And it was just beautiful to see the sun go down there. Again the trees added the drama. Absolute perfect ending of a great day.









So serene and calm. Who would have thought an old fort could be like that.

Smile

A little bit of NC fall.....

The eyes have it

I made these photo's at the Conservators' center near Mebane. Their howling is just fascinating to hear. But their eyes......

The little daredevil

Hey you!



Look what I can do?





Betcha you can't do this trick right?





Just saying....

Beacons of Maine

I am back! My body is at least. My mind is still wandering of up North every now and then.





Just love the dramatic lighthouses of Maine. The setting is just perfect.





The tides, the sail boats and the boulders along the shore. Just a perfect.