Painted Buntings at Carolina Beach State Park

I have wanted to see a painted bunting since moving down here and just learned that a feeder is set up at Carolina Beach State Park. So I drove down and sat for almost 2 hours trying to get a good picture. These aren't perfect but at least I did get to see them!

Also saw this bluebird with some bug....
a female cardinal with a mohawk....
and two very skinny deer.....

adventures over the weekend

On Saturday I went on a Photo Hike to the B.W. Wells Savannah with the Coastal Land Trust organization. The B.W. Wells Savannah, referred to as the Ghost of Big Savannah, is host to over 170 native plant species including several rarities.

.Unfortunately I don't know the names of most of them (yet!).




These very tiny orchids were my favorites!






There were several varieties of carnivorous pitcher plants.

This is the "flower" of a pitcher plant which draws in the insects.
They call this "toothache grass" because if you chew it your mouth becomes numb. I didn't test that theory.


Then on Sunday I went to the New Hanover County Arboretum. It is the only arboretum in Southeastern North Carolina and offers visitors a chance to study native plants and their environment







The ponds are full of koi which come to the surface to be fed.

Look at the "blue" eyes on this koi.



And my new interest is trying to photograph the many different kinds of dragonflies that are around here.

Sunday was also my parents 63rd wedding anniversary. They celebrated in Ohio with my brother and his family. I am so very proud!
This female and male red-bellied woodpeckers are my newest guests at the feeders on my deck.

Turtle Release

More than two dozen sea turtles were released back to sea Wednesday after spending time rehabilitating at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island. And I was there!

The shelled reptiles slowly scurried back to salt water amidst a crowd of children and snapping cameras.

The group of 25 included Loggerheads, Greens and Kemp-Ridely turtles, which can all be seen on the Karen Beasley Center’s website.