Of Gathering Gulls And Stormy Skies - OBX '07 Continues

Okay. Where were we? Ah yes - making our way back up the Outer Banks of North Carolina in October of 2007. We had just missed the 3:00 ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke, and had almost three hours to kill before the next one. There's nothing but a ferry terminal at this end of Cedar Island, so this turned out to be the most peaceful respite on the whole trip.

Keep an eye on the big seagull. It's happy hour on the sandbar and he's the host.

You have to get there early to get a good spot on the bar of sand.

"Okay guys - do what I do..."

"Free sand crab appetizers until 6:00! Woohoo!"

I like ripples. Sue me.

Looking across the harbor from our room at the Anchorage Inn: Ocracoke Lighthouse.

It had stormed ferociously the night before, and the system still lingered not far offshore as we drove NC Route 12 from town to the next ferry at the north end of Ocracoke.

Serious weather.

So, [Maris] and I are not fans of gloomy weather, and we had to talk ourselves into stopping again to shoot lighthouses under threatening skies. I'm glad we did. This kind of weather is one of the major reasons lighthouses were built. This is Hatteras Light, stoic against the gathering darkness.

And here's Bodie Island Light, being rained on - hard.

Thanks for stopping by. There's still more to come, including a recently-completed excursion to the Gulf Coast.

Ocracoke And A Smile - Working Our Way Down The Outer Banks

Where were we? Oh yeah - It's October 2007, and we're in the middle of our "finally shooting the lighthouses of North Carolina" trip. Above: Obligatory shots of Cape Hatteras' famous lighthouse, now located about a half-mile from its original spot. Yep - it's pretty.

Hatteras cupola!

This is what the Ocracoke Light Station looks like if you get there too late in the day and it's a little too cloudy.

So you just have to get up a little early and shoot it in the morning sun, before catching the first ferry to Cedar Island.

Cupola, cloudy. Yes, it looks crooked. I'm pretty sure it's set on top of the tower at a slant, or at least a little off-center. That's the visual "flaw" that lends it great charm.

Cupola, sunny!

One departing shot from aboard the ferry. Shameless plug: We. Love. Ocracoke.

Clouds and sunbeams and the Pamlico Sound.

Gulls on the breakwater.

A preview of what's to come. This was our first trip to Cape Lookout. The lighthouse was so cool, we made a second crossing on our way back north, when the sun was shining.

Check back soon!