Starting the day on the Johnnie Mercer Pier is always a good way to start the day.
It seems like more and more Royal Terns are wintering in the Carolinas but maybe that's just me paying more attention.
iNat submission for the day - Yaupon Holly. The Latin name is Ilex Vomitoria which is derived from the fact that early settlers in the Americas noticed that when this berry was imbibed by Native Americans in ceremonies that vomiting frequently ensued. However, this was probably because during these ceremonies they would drink large quantities after fasting, probably to increase the effects of the natural substances including caffeine. In fact, Yaupon Holly is one of only two naturally occurring plants in North American that have caffeine. The berries were also used as a laxative and have other medicinal properties. Apparently some people are still using it to make teas much like a northern version of yerba mate.
Cool stuff. It grows all over the south end of Wrightsville Beach.
I wasn't able to get away from work on the morning of the 7th, so I had to sneak away in the afternoon for sunset and went down to Fort Fisher.
Sea Ox-eye - One of the cool things about this iNat challenge is that I am learning how to ID flowers based on their non-flowering state. I know what Sea Ox-eye looks like when it is blooming but now I can ID it even in the winter. It grows easily in marshy or sandy habitats like we have all over the coast in SE North Carolina. It is apparently an important host plant for a number of butterflies and insects. Three cheers for Sea Ox-eye!
I wasn't seeing anything on the Basin Trail due to the late hour so I crossed over to the beach and was just about to pack it in for the night when this beauty flew right past me at Mach 1. I has the camera in burst mode so even though it went by at lightning speed, I was able to get a nice series.
Parasitic Jaeger!
That night I had to drive Luke back to UNC. He was supposed to get a ride with a friend but got Norovirus or some stomach bug and we didn't want to infect his friends so I got the short end of the stick. Somehow I was able to drop him off that night without picking up whatever he had and I checked into a hotel.
After some morning teleconferences I was able to get away after lunch and start the trek home but with a couple stops on the way. The Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh is always a fun stop.
This Fox Sparrow greeted me within 2 minutes of arriving.
Dark-eyed Juncos were everywhere but didn't want to cooperate for photos.
Since I had Yaupon Holly for my iNat submission the day before, I thought it would be good to add American Holly this day and the Ecostation has tons of them.
The berries are poisonous to dogs, cats and humans but birds love them! They are a favorite of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins.
White-throated Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Back in Wilmington the next day, I headed to the south end of WB.
Purple Sandpipers will come out on the breakwall on a day with a low tide and small waves. Unfortunately the lighting conditions are not ideal in the morning.
Back in the office, I was on a teleconference when I noticed a small flock outside my window which included an Orange-crowned Warbler and a Yellow-throated Warbler which is a good winter record.
Yellow-throated Warbler - I shot this picture through my window while on a teleconference call! That is some serious multitasking.
This is why I like to keep my office window clean.
American Oystercatcher at Fort Fisher. This guy's name should be Einstein. Note his leg tag that says EMC. Perhaps the squared bit is on the other side. Get it? E=MC2.
Tricolored Heron
Meanwhile at Carolina Beach State Park.....
Dwarf Palmetto is one of the few native palms that grow in SE North Carolina. It typically stays close to the ground and doesn't grow a real trunk like the other native palmettos do. CB state park has tons of them.
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
That's it for today. Tune back in shortly for another installment.
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