Hands across the Sands

A few pictures from the Hands across the Sands event today on Ocracoke Island. To find out more about Hands across the Sands: http://handsacrossthesand.org/

Ocracoke needs to protect it's coastal economy, oceans, marine wildlife, fishing industry, and natural beauty of the beaches that we love.

Perfect and beautiful, The Coquina clam

I find something different every day when I walk the beach in Ocracoke. Earlier this week it was the tiny Coquina clams. There seemed to be so many of them, large colonies or clusters of them. Coquinas look like little gems in assorted sun painted colors; blues, yellows, pinks, orange, purple, white, and some of them striped. Nature makes even the tiniest things perfect and beautiful!

(You can enlarge these photos by clicking on them)

Painting Ocracoke

When I opened my shop, Ocracoke Photo, this morning I found this couple painting pictures of my little building. Sweet! These are their paintings- thanks John and Dodi what a nice surprise!

Paintings by Dodi and John Groesser www.johnanddodigroesser.com

Dolphins!

I have seen so many dolphins over this winter and early spring in Ocracoke. If you go out to the beach you can see them swimming and playing just off shore. These dolphins I photographed on a boat trip out to Portsmouth Island. These dolphins swam right beside our boat! If you'd like to go to Portsmouth Island or on a sightseeing boat tour around Ocracoke Island contact Austin Boat Tours: www.PortsmouthNC.com

A brand new Ocrapony

Ocracoke Island has a new Ocrapony! She was born on Monday morning. Her name is Paloma. She was named by the children at the Ocracoke School. Paloma means "dove" in Spanish. This beautiful little paint colored filly was born to Spirit, one of the Ocracoke heard. We are happy to welcome our new resident to the Ocracoke Pony pens!

The Ocracoke Lighthouse... brighter than ever!

At dusk on the evening of Wednesday, March 3, the Ocracoke Lighthouse beacon will once again be visible from the village of Ocracoke. The lighthouse, originally constructed in 1823, received significant restoration work during the past four months and the light is ready to be turned on once again. The work included repairs to historic metalwork, new glass in the lens room, and lightning protection measures to the structure.

Ocracats at the Post Office

A large population of Ocracats (Ocracoke wild cats) live at the post office. Here they were this morning waiting for someone to come and feed them. One kitty made it especially hard to mail letter!