June 02, 2010

Wandering through Buxton Woods

The day after a wedding I am always exhausted, so instead of driving the six hours home from Devon and Mitch's beach wedding, I decided to take the day to explore the beautiful island I was visiting. Hatteras Island has been able to support human habitation since before Europeans settled the area. This part of the Outerbanks is wide enough to support the growth of one of the oldest and largest maritime forests in North Carolina. These trees and plants offered some protections from the harsh island weather, materials for building, and even leaves for tea. You'll see below what is called a "sedge," which is a low lying area that holds fresh water. Apparently this sedge is rapidly giving over to the growth of cattails as the water level rapidly drops due to human consumption. The delicate ecosystem does not escape the human footprint. I emerged from the trail, leaving the toads and dragonflies behind, to view the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. After few moments viewing this old building, I traveled over to a more remote section of the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve set aside by the Nature Conservancy and the NC Devision of Coastal Management in 1993 and 1994. The trails meandered over old sand dunes in the middle of the ancient forest. The air felt tropical as I checked at ankle height for any poisonous snakes and listened to birds above. As the sun was getting low, I decided to head back to the Frisco campground and was greeted by a most wonderful storm. The rain just missed my campsite leaving me with a spectacular view of the retreating thunderhead cloud. I slept peacefully, grateful that although the island isn't wild as it once was, there were still places preserved that allow a true island experience.





















5 comments:

katie said...

how cool!

Dan said...

Terrific pictures. I especially like the one of the approaching storm. Thanks for sharing.

-- Dan
Outer Banks Revealed

Tracey Broome said...

Hey, I added you on to my blog roll. I saw you had posted a comment on my blgo and I remembered your name from your Pittsboro courthouse photos (I think, is that right?) Your work is very nice!

Jessica Massey Benton Lobdell said...

Thanks for looking at the photos everyone! Tracey, thank you for adding me to your blog roll. I just found your blog the other day and I will enjoy following it! I did take photos of the Pittsboro Courthouse before and during the fire. I have some prints for sale of the intact courthouse at the Vespertine shop in town. Thanks again for looking!

Kerby said...

The storm cloud is incredible... It's even more awesome because stars are surrounding it