Spangler WOOD & BIRDS

Overnight camping trip in early June, split between the Rachel Carson Reserve (across from Beaufort) and the Croatan National Forest

This May we headed to the far western part of the state for my sister-in-law’s wedding in Highlands, NC.

I explored the Front Range over the weekend, squeezing in some birding, hiking, and hanging out.

Another 50-something mile through-paddle of the Haw River with three friends.

Late winter coastal adventure featuring waterfowl, kayaking, and red wolves

Nature-filled winter vacation to Cumberland Island, GA and Dunedin, FL. In short: Bobcat, Ani, Eel, Sea Turtle.

Dry summer weather this year led to excellent lake levels for migrant wading birds and shorebirds.

One can never have too many hobbies, right? I picked up fishing this year.

Two nights by myself on East Shackleford Banks--kayaking, camping, birding, fishing.

This summer, I joined two friends on a bird-focused Gulf Stream voyage to look for birds.

Summer trip to McAllister, Montana, with at least as many lifer mammals as lifer birds.

The fourth day of a weeklong vacation in Montana involved a day trip to Yellowstone, packed full of geological and mammalian wonders.

This was my first OBX camping trip focusing on fishing. This was also our first trip to North Core Banks.

First was a half-day bluebird chase at Wrightsville Beach. Second was a three-day OBX trip with a pelagic (deep sea birding cruise).

Christmas vacation this year consisted of a mostly coastal three-part trip to NC, SC, and FL.

In case the title was confusing, herpetofauna means reptiles & amphibians.

I'm not going to list every dragonfly I see, or describe every outing I see damselflies, but I'll hit the highlights.

With relatively high lake levels, this was another lackluster year for shorebirds on Jordan Lake. But there were waders!

We flew into Portland and drove a rental car up and down the coast (all the way to the Canadian border), splitting our 7 nights between

I most often explore the NC coast during the off-season, and often do it alone. However, I’m not one to turn down a summer beach trip.