"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

Nature has been providing some incredible "aha moments" at the southern end of Wrightsville Beach and we have some amazing photographers out there capturing it all to share with us!

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” ~Henri Cartier-Bresson

This week I'll let the pictures do the "talking".

(photo by Kathy Hannah)

This Willet was making its presence known by calling and diving at anyone nearby.  If you see any of the birds upset please respect them and walk a bit farther from the postings.

This particular Willet was concerned because the chicks were nearby.

Willet Family
 (photo by Michelle Frazier)

Willets at the water's edge
(photo by Michelle Frazier)

These Willet chicks were seen a bit TOO close to the water last week. When a wave seemed to be taking one chick out into the sound one of our Bird Stewards went into the water to rescue it. That is Bird Stewarding at its BEST.


The big news this week is the arrival of our Amerian Oystercatcher chicks. 

(photo by Sharna Tolfree, NC Audubon Staff)

(photo by Sharna Tolfree, NC Audubon Staff)

One of the chicks has been seen coming out of the dunes and staying close to a parent to keep cool under a hot sun.

(photo by Laura Scullin)

American Oystercatcher Family Portrait
(photo by Bonnie-Jeane Berg)

This is NOT a four legged Oystercatcher. Just a chick seeking shelter.
(photo by Kathy Hannah)

Another American Oystercatcher family has three chicks.

Can you spot the third chick?
(photo by Michelle Frazier)

Meanwhile the Common Terns, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers are busy courting, mating, and defending their nests. 

Least Tern brining a fish to a nesting mate.
(photo by Don Ellison)

Common Tern attacking a marauding crow.
(photo by John Sutton)

Black Skimmer not happy with crows in the nesting area.
(photo by John Sutton)

Least Tern chasing a Common Tern.
Common Terns seem to enjoying taking the path of "least" resistance
and try to take a fish from a Least Tern rather than catching their own.
(photo by Mary-Ann Walton)

The sky is filled with birds!
(photo by Mary-Ann Walton)

The choreography of the Black Skimmers is a marvel to behold!
(photo by Bonnie-Jeanne Berg)

Least Tern with the catch of the day.
(photo by Bonnie-Jeanne Berg)

Common Tern on a marked nest.
(photo by Kathy Hannah)

While we are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of new chicks, our amazing team of Bird Stewards is constantly maintaining the postings at the nesting area. 

(photo by Bonnie-Jeanne Berg)

So if you haven't had a chance to get out to the southern end of Wrightsville Beach yet... GO!