NC – Page 2

Fall 2021 in the Blue Ridge Mountains

This entry will be “Part I” since I plan to return in about 3 weeks to hopefully photograph some fall color in the lower elevations. The first image is of Hooker Falls in the Du Pont State Forest at Cedar Mountain. The other photos were taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway, mainly at 4,000 ft and above, where the color has just started to show. The last image is of Rough Ridge Overlook, one of the higher BRP overlook elevations where the color was magnificent. Hang in there leaves, I’ll be back soon!

The Promise of Fall

I wouldn’t go so far as to say there was a “nip” in the air yet, but it is getting cooler and the humidity is dropping. The mornings are glorious and some trees are beginning to drop their leaves. Just another couple of weeks and nature will start to amaze with her explosion of color in the higher elevations of North and South Carolina. I was looking back through some photos I took in the fall of 2016, a particularly good year for color. Hopefully 2021 will not disappoint.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Isaias’ Target

When I heard that Hurricane Isaias came ashore at Oak Island, North Carolina, I was dismayed, remembering this beautiful part of the OBX that I had explored on foot and by air last year. These images were shot last Summer and it was so sad to see the latest video footage of the destruction caused this past week. My best to the people of Oak Island and Bald Head Island, I know they will bounce back strong.

Birds Eye View of Southport, NC

When I fly for aerial images in Charleston, I am spoiled with being able to shoot out of a helicopter, without doors, which affords the best and widest possible viewing area. When I travel to smaller towns, helicopters are rarely available (especially at an affordable rental rate) so I made do with the next best thing, a Cessna 172 high wing plane. This is a challenge because you are constantly trying to avoid including part of the wing strut in the image. Also I find the vibration more excessive, which results in a higher percentage of blurry images. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful evening, and I was satisfied with my final collection. Enjoy the views of the area around Southport, North Carolina, definitely an area to add to your travel bucket list.

Shrimp trawlers and seafood outlets in the Lockwoods Folly River, Varnamtown, NC

Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean, Holden Beach, NC

Old Baldy Lighthouse, Bald Head Island, NC

Different Views & Moods of Oak Island Lighthouse, NC

I have been very busy exploring the Northeastern part of North Carolina over the last few days. Yesterday and today was spent in the Southport area. Southport is a charming and picturesque town south of Wilmington, on the Cape Fear River. Of course I have been taking hundreds of photographs, trying to cover as much of this territory as possible in the time that I have. These images are all of Oak Island Lighthouse at different times of day and from different perspectives. It makes a change from my beloved Morris Island Lighthouse!