Carolina Salt June 2015

FREE! TAKE ONE! JUNE / JULY 2015

your life on the Crystal Coast

THE NATURE ISSUE Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter

BEAUTIFUL BLUEBIRDS Sam’s Field Notes

GREAT HORNED OWL

✭ Happy ✭

INDEPENDENCE DAY Carteret County

Summer Fun for Kids

OUTDOOR NATURE CAMPS UNDERWATER FUN

Diving Our Coast In June

Ask the Aquarium

LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN AND FREE

THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–JUNE THROUGH MID–JULY page 8

LUNA MOTHS HOOKED UP

Fishing Our Coast in June

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M I D - J U N E TO M I D - J U LY 2 0 1 5

Inside This Issue T H E C RYS TA L C OAS T L I F E S T Y L E

F E AT U R E S 22 Ask the Aquarium

Usually Ask the Aquarium answers questions about our marine habitat and creatures, but this month, we’re taking a look at a gorgeous visitor found clinging to the Aquarium’s wall—the famously beautiful luna moth.

23 OWLS: Son of the Sun!

23

DISCOVERING THE EASTERN BLUEBIRD FREE! TAKE ONE!

JUNE / JULY 2015

your life on the Crystal Coast

THE NATURE ISSUE Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter

BEAUTIFUL BLUEBIRDS Sam’s Field Notes

GREAT HORNED OWL

✭ Happy ✭ INDEPENDENCE DAY Carteret County

Summer Fun for Kids

OUTDOOR NATURE CAMPS UNDERWATER FUN

Diving Our Coast In June

Meet the Eastern bluebird, a bird common to Carteret County. With a royal blue jacket and rusty red breast, the male Eastern bluebird is a spectacular sight. Read about the life cycle and habits of this member of the thrush family.

Ask the Aquarium

LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN AND FREE

THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–MAY THROUGH MID–JUNE page 8

LUNA MOTHS HOOKED UP

Fishing Our Coast in June

ON THIS MONTH’S COVER Summer is finally beginning! School is out and the beaches are beckoning! Thanks to Brad Styron Photography for the amazing cover image taken at Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle. Visit him online at styronphoto.com.

We’re looking forward to cookouts & family gatherings this summer!

24 Sam’s Field Notes

Join nature lover Sam Bland on his journey up a tributary of Broad Creek to find great horned owl and bald eagle nests—with the help of a disgruntled crow, and a lot of time and painstaking attention.

26 Call of the Wild: Summer Camp

Spend a week of your summer exploring coastal North Carolina’s great outdoors with the Coastal Federation (NCCF). Kids can get outside, unplug, have an adventure, get some fresh air and reconnect with nature.

27 Hooked Up Fishing 24 GREAT HORNED OWL Sam’s Field Notes takes you into the woods after owls!

27 HOOKED UP FISHING

takes you around our coast with tips & tricks for the best catch.

By June, every species that North Carolina has to offer is readily available, both inshore and nearshore. Learning their patterns is the key to a successful trip. Let Captain Jeff Cronk be your guide, as he shares his decades of experience.

28 Diving Our Coast in June The Regulars 8 Things to Do 22 Ask the Aquarium: Luna Moths 23 OWLS: Son of the Sun 27 Hooked Up Fishing 28 Diving the Coast in June 29 Tides

Water temperatures reached the mid-70s last month, and they will continue to increase, bringing more tropical and other fish to our offshore wrecks. This month’s focus is on the wreck of the Caribsea off Cape Lookout Shoals.

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 5

PUBLISHER: Will

Ashby

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Chevy

Kaylor

CONTRIBU TING WRITERS Lee Moore, Captain Jeff Cronk, Sherry White, Sam Bland, Linda Bergman–Althouse and the NC Coastal Federation.

E D I T O R IA L S A N D A D V E RT I S I N G Please contact the publisher at will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com or 252-723-7628 for ad rates and editorial ideas. Ad and editorial deadline for the Mid-July to Mid-August issue is June 16, 2015.

Email letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com. Next issue will publish July 7, 2015.

From the Publisher Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, published to depict your life here on the Crystal Coast.

All articles are written by locals. We cover a wide range of topics including local history, outdoor sports, wildlife, special events and more. Every month we look to you, our readers, to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote, an interesting local photograph or just some good times stories to share, send them our way. Participation is welcomed and appreciated. Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine. We want to be a local resource for you, our readers.

If you like what you see, tell people about it—especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns and more information about Carolina Salt, send e-mail to will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com or call 252-723-7628.

For up-to-date info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!

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Call 252-723-7628 if you’re interested in submitting an article or photo. Our local content is what keeps our magazine fresh and relevant.

PUBLISHED BY CRYSTAL COAST OUTDOORS PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 572, Morehead City, NC 28557 | 252-723-7628

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THINGS TO DO

FOURTH OF JULY FUN JULY 3–5

✪ Swansboro 4th of July celebration weekend Come celebrate your Independence Day weekend in downtown Swansboro on the waterfront! There will be plenty of food, activities, vendors and live music throughout the weekend and a fantastic fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. on the 4th! This event is collaboration between SwanFest and the Swansboro Festivals Committee. For more information visit swansborofestivals. com or call 910-326-7370 for event details.

I ND E P EN DE N C E D AY

✪ JULY 4 FIREWORKS are scheduled in Swansboro, Morehead City, Beaufort and Atlantic Beach. To find out what’s happening when in your area, look at the listing to the right.

THE DINING ROOM What happens at the table stays at the table.

C O M M UN IT Y T H E AT RE

THE DINING ROOM at Carteret Community Theatre June 19-21 and June 26-28. Tickets are $17 ($8 for students). For information and showtimes, call 252-247-5838.

✪ =FREE

M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY

July 3.............................. Band of the South (572nd Air Force Band) July 4.......... Band of Oz, fireworks at 9 p.m.)

July 5....... Marine Corps Band Camp Lejeune

JULY 4

✪ 4th of July Fireworks off Bogue Inlet Pier in Swansboro The Town of Swansboro will again present fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. Parking will be available at Bogue Inlet Pier as well as along NC 58. The fireworks will also be visible from Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. At 100 Bogue Inlet Drive, Emerald Isle. Call 252-354-3424 for more information.

JULY 4

✪ July 4th fireworks in Morehead [ 7–10 PM ] The waterfront in Downtown Morehead City comes alive on the 4th of July with live music and fireworks. The entire family will enjoy sounds of The Main Event Band as they perform from 7–10 p.m. at Jaycee Park on the Morehead City Waterfront. Celebrate by dancing to the music and viewing a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. The fireworks display will be launched from Sugarloaf Island across from Jaycee Park at 9 p.m. For more information call 252-726-5083.

JULY 4

✪ Beaufort July 4th parade and fireworks extravaganza [ 11 AM, 9 PM ] A Beaufort tradition and crowd favorite, the 4th of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. at the fire department and continues downtown along the beautiful Beaufort waterfront. The parade includes kids, pets, wagons and so much more.

Don’t miss it! For more details, call 252728-3917. The Town of Beaufort July 4th fireworks can be seen along Gallant’s Channel (172 W. Beaufort Road) at 9 p.m.

JULY 4

✪ Atlantic Beach 4th of July celebration [ 7 PM ] Join the town of Atlantic Beach at the Circle with the 572nd Air Force Band and fireworks starting at 9 p.m.

JULY 4

Underwater bike race and dive event Hungry Town Bike Tours in Beaufort will be sponsoring a Bike Decorating Bonanza that takes place prior to departure and fun prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed bike and rider. Join us! Our Underwater Bike Race is an annual event to benefit the Children’s Mile of Hope in support of cancer research. If you want to participate in the contest, plan on arriving at the dive shop 1:30 p.m. to give yourself time to decorate your bike. We will have some supplies available (spray paint, stickers) but you are welcome to get creative and bring your own. While we encourage you to bring your own bike, we will have a limited number of bikes available—you will have about an hour to decorate. For those just wanting to participate in the Underwater Bike Race, plan on arriving around 2:30 p.m. to get gear and load up. From 2:30 to 2:45 p.m., Hungry Town Bike Tours will select and award prizes to the winner. We will leave the dock at approximately 3:30 p.m. We offer

“Big Enough To Serve You, Small Enough To Know You.”

SCAN HERE FOR INFORMATION

Charleston Park • Swansboro • 910-378-0659 8 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5

info@cirilacothran.com • www.cirilacothran.com

✪ =FREE transportation to and from the Indra aboard the Outrageous V for $70 per diver, but private vessels are welcome to participate.

The race occurs on the starboard side of the Indra and will begin between 4:30–5 p.m.

You may swim, pedal, push or drag, but only human power is allowed—no motors—and only one biker is permitted per bike. There is a suggested donation of $5 per bike entry (all proceeds go to the Children’s Mile of Hope). Meet us afterwards at the Discovery Diving dive shop for post-race festivities and please bring a covered dish potluck. Drinks available for purchase. At Discovery Diving Company, 414 Orange Street, Beaufort. Call 252-728-2265 for details.

CONCERTS & MUSIC JUNE–JULY

✪ SwanFest free summer concerts [ 6:30–8 PM ] SwanFest Summer Concert series is back again this summer in Swansboro at The Pavilion at Olde Town Square. No alcohol or pets please. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy great music by the sea!

June 7........... Liverpool (Beatles Cover Band) June 14..............................................Orion June 21........................... Old Man Whickutt June 28..................Notorious Clamslammers July 3.............................. Band of the South (572nd Air Force Band) July 4...........Band of Oz, Fireworks at 9 p.m.

July 5........Marine Corps Band Camp Lejeune

JUNE 13, 20

✪ Concert series at Fort Macon [ 7–8 PM ] The free Concert in the Park Series runs from May through August and includes pop classics orchestral bands, Cajun, bluegrass and Civil War-era music.

Choose one concert or attend them all! Sit up on the ramparts or down in the main fort area, watch the sunset, see the boats coming into Beaufort Inlet and listen to great music — this is one of the Crystal Coast’s real treats! Concert-goers are welcome to bring a picnic (no alcohol or pets) and a blanket or

THINGS TO DO

M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY lawn chair. At 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.

June 13..................... The Unknown Tongues June 20.................. Samantha Casey and the BlueGrass Jam

JUNE 13, 20, 27 | JULY 4

✪ Free summer concert series at Jaycee Park in Morehead City [ 7–8:30 PM ] The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a summer concert series on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend on the beautiful Morehead City Waterfront at Jaycee Park, 807 Shepard Street, in Morehead City. These performances are free and open to the public. For more information on the concert series, contact Kirk Peterson at the Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department, 252-726-5083.

June 13..................................Seaside Band June 20......................................... 4EverAll June 27............ Calico Creek Bluegrass Band July 4......................... The Main Event Band Fireworks at 9 p.m.

JUNE 18, 25 | JULY 2, 9

✪ EmeraldFest free summer concert series [ 6:30–8 PM ] The EmeraldFest 2015 summer concert series is back again with weekly acts at the Western Ocean Regional Access facility (located off Islander Drive, one block east of Coast Guard Road intersection). Concerts will be held every Thursday evening through August 20, with a variety of genres performed by great regional performers. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the fun!

June 18......................... Pure T Mommicked June 25.....................................Selah Dubb July 2............................................ 4EverAll July 9.............................. Justine Castellano

JUNE 19 | JULY 3

✪ Alive at Five outdoor concerts [ 5–8 PM ] Sponsored by Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association (DMCRA). At the Jaycee Park on the Morehead City waterfront. For more information call 252-808-0440.

June 19............................. Attractions Band July 3.............................. Mikele Buck Band

ARTS | THEATER JUNE 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

Carteret Community Theatre presents ‘The Dining Room’ [ 8 PM, 2 PM ] Play by A.R. Gurney, directed

by Robin Hamm. At Carteret Community Theatre, Morehead City. Tickets are $17 ($8 for students). Call 252-247-5838 for more information.

June 19, 20, 26, 27..........................8 p.m.

June 21 and 28................................2 p.m.

JUNE 20

✪ Plein Air Art on the Waterfront open air art display and market [ 10 AM–4 PM ] Plein Air Art on the Waterfront takes place the third Saturday of each month through September around the Big Rock Fountain at Evans and Shepard Streets, Morehead City. Sponsored by Arts and Things. Watch art happen with artists painting outdoors. Artwork is available for purchase. Artists must pre-register to participate—call 252-240-1979.

JULY 4

✪ Carteret County Arts and Crafts Coalition summer show Carteret County Arts and Crafts Coalition Summer Show, at the Beaufort Historic Site on Turner Street in Beaufort takes place Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. An outdoor show of juried arts and crafts. No admission charged.

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J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 9

THINGS TO DO

✪ =FREE

M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY FREE MOVIE NIGHTS JUNE 10, 17, 24 | JULY 1, 8

✪ Seaside Cinemas at the Pavilion on Atlantic Beach [ 8:30 PM ] Movies are free to the public and will begin at dusk on Wednesday nights.

Movies are shown at the Pavilion on the Circle, 115 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach.

F R E E MO V IE S

✪ SEASIDE CINEMAS at the Pavilion on the Circle, 115 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach. Movies are free and begin at dusk, around 8:30 p.m.

Check the listing at right for titles.

June 10........................ Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory June 17.............................................. Hook June 24.................................. Jurassic Park July 1........................Into the Woods (2014) July 2................................................. Jaws July 8.....................................Annie (2014)

JUST FOR FUN | KIDS JUNE 12

Kids’ Night In, Parents’ Night Out gives parents a break!

Join us for a special Kids’ Night In, Parents’ Night Out. Parents, drop the kids off for a safe and fun time while you head out for a fun evening of your own! Kids, welcome summer with a summer kickoff party. It will be a fun-filled evening with games, dancing, singing and crafts. Bring a cozy blanket for a showing of Paddington. Dinner, refreshments and popcorn will be served. Space is limited to 12, so be sure to pre-register by June 10.

Cost is $10 for the first child and $7 for each additional child. For more information call 910-326-2600, come by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension or register online at swansboro. recdesk.com.

JUNE 13 FUN D AY F O R A L L

✪ MARITIME DAY in Beaufort on June 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sail in the museum’s fleet of wooden boats, cast a line, enjoy the music and the views of Gallant’s Channel. Activities are free.

✪ NC Maritime Museum’s Maritime Day in Beaufort [ 11 AM–2 PM ] Sail in the museum’s fleet of traditional wooden boats, cast a line with a cane pole, join in games or just relax and enjoy the music and spectacular view of Gallant’s Channel. Activities are free! Lunch

is free for members of the Friends of the NC Maritime Museum (there is a small fee for non-members for lunch). The event takes place at Gallants Channel, an extension of the NC Maritime Museum, located at 172 West Beaufort Road. For more information call 252-728-7317, stop by the museum at 315 Front Street or visit them online at ncmaritimemuseums.com.

JUNE 13

✪ Kids Fishing Day in Newport [ 8 AM–NOON ] At Cedar Swamp Pond, Newport. The location is off Hibbs Road.

Turn onto Transfer Station Road, then left at the white gate. This event is for kids 15 and under; one adult per every two children is required. Bring tackle and bait, if you can. A limited amount of tackle and cane poles will be available. Free lunch for all participants. Sponsored by Croatan National Forest and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information call 252638-5628 or 252-671-4531.

JUNE AND AUGUST

Laser Light Show and Dance Party summer series for families [ WEEK OF JUNE 15] Monday.......Morehead City Boys & Girls Club Friday...........Emerald Isle Community Center [ JUNE 22 TO AUGUST 17 ] Mondays 7–10:30..................Morehead City Boys & Girls Club Tuesdays................. Emerald Isle Community Center Gym Wednesdays..................Surf City Community Center Gym Thursdays......Atlantic Beach Atlantic Station Friday............Atlantic Beach Atlantic Station (Oldies, 80s, 90s) HOURS MONDAY–WEDNESDAY: All Ages................................. 7–10:30 p.m.

Younger Kids & Families............ 7–8:45 p.m.

Middle School Ages........... 8:45–10:30 p.m.

Southern Comforts Gifts & Specialties

We invite you to come enjoy our charm & take a little home with you!

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1 0 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5

✪ =FREE

THINGS TO DO

M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY

HOURS THURSDAY

JUNE 10

All Ages................................. 7–10:30 p.m.

✪ Class: ‘Raising Responsible and Respectful Children’

HOURS FRIDAY All Ages...................................... 7–11 p.m.

For more information visit emeraldowlproductions.com.

HISTORY | EDUCATION JUNE 10

Lunch with a spy: Marti Peterson, former spy, CIA officer and author of ‘The Widow Spy’ [ NOON ] The Friends of the WCPL will host a lunch at the Western Park Community Center to present The Widow Spy by former CIA agent Marti Peterson. Hear from Ms. Peterson directly as she tells the thrilling story of how she started out in Laos during the Vietnam war and then was posted in Moscow during the Cold War years. Tickets are $25 and include lunch catered by Village Market. There will also be an opportunity to purchase her book during the presentation.

All proceeds benefit library improvements.

Seating is limited. Tickets are available at carteret.cpclib.org/western, WCP library, E.I. Books (Plantation Shopping Center), the Visitors Center, board members of FWCPL and by calling Diane Schools at 252-3542916.

Utilizing the Five Principles of Love and Logic® this parenting class will help foster the development of responsible and respectful children. It will help parents teach children to make positive decisions, how to have more fun raising our children and taking care of ourselves while being an effective parent. Topics include Empathy before Consequences, Shared Dignity, Shared Thinking, Shared Control within Limits and Relationships. For more information call 910-326-2600, come by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension or register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.

JUNE 11

✪ Chiropractic and spinal health class Swansboro Parks and Recreation is partnering with Carteret Chiropractic to offer a seminar on chiropractic health and wellness. The class will cover the basics and benefits of chiropractic care. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call 910-326-2600, come by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension or register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.

AU TH O R EVEN T

LUNCH WITH A SPY with Marti Peterson, author of ‘The Widow Spy’ on June 10 at noon at the Western Carteret Public Library. For information, call 252-354-2916. Tickets are $25.

JUNE 22–26

Summer drama camps

JUNE 10, 17, 24

Ballroom Dancing class [ 7–8 PM ] Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation is offering beginner Ballroom Dancing lessons. The featured dance for June will be the East Coast Swing. Classes will take place at the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center. You don’t have to have a partner to join in the fun! The cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple for the four-week session. Register at the Emerald Isle Community Center or call Sheila Lowe at 252-354-6350.

[ 9 AM–2 PM ] At Carteret Community Theatre, Morehead City, for grades 5–12.

Cost is $75 per student per week. Preregistration is required, along with a deposit.

July 6-10 and Aug 10-14 Grades K-4. Cost is $50 per student per week. Call 252-2475838 for more information.

JULY 7

✪ Feel Better with Essential Oils: Managing Pain and Inflammation This month’s Essential Oils 101 topic deals with managing pain and inflammation.

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PAR EN TIN G CLASS

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THINGS TO DO

✪ =FREE

M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY

Whether it’s mild or chronic, essential oils can provide pain relief while reducing inflammation in a range of ailments. Have arthritis, swelling and muscle, joint or back pain? There are essential oils that can help you find comfort. Drop-ins welcome; class is free.

Light refreshments served. Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information call 910-326-2600 or stop by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension. You can also register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.

certified experienced instructors lead the class. Boards, paddles and life vest will be provided. Child must know how to swim. Class is for youth ages 8-12. Cost is $35 for 3-hour class; pre-registration is required by June 15. Details regarding the class will be emailed to participants after registration is complete. For more information call 910-326-2600, come by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension or register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.

GET OUTDOORS

SPORTS | FITNESS

JUNE 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 | JULY 2, 7, 9

JUNE 8, 12, 18

Morehead City Marlins home baseball games Enjoy some exciting baseball this summer! The Morehead City Marlins is a collegiate summer baseball team playing in the Coastal Plain League (CPL). The team plays its home games at O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium in Morehead City. For more information and season schedule, visit mhcmarlins.com

JUNE 18

Paddleboard: Youth 8-12 [ 9 AM–NOON] Swansboro Parks and Recreation is partnering with Second Wind Eco Tours to offer paddleboarding. Enjoy the outdoors and learn basic stand up paddle board skills with Second Wind.

Basic skills taught include basic strokes, turning, falling and jumping off the board and getting back on the board in deep water. CPR-

✪ Free summer field trips on the Rachel Carson Reserve [ 8:30–10:30 AM ] Free public field trips on the Rachel Carson component of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays during June, July and August. Reservations are required, as boat space is limited. We encourage you to bring sunglasses, hats, binoculars, water and sunscreen. All field trips are free, but we do accept donations for our nonprofit organization, FOR (Friends of the Reserve). Call 252-220-0779 to make reservations or for more information or visit nccoastalreserve.net. The reserve offers three types of field trips: ➀ NATURE HIKES at low tides. Be prepared to get your shoes wet and muddy. ➁ BOARDWALK TRIPS at high tide on 27-foot skiff. ➂ CIRCUMNAVIGATION CRUISES around the reserve on our 27-foot skiff allow visitors a chance to view Middle Marsh after a brief stop at the boardwalk.

HOME & GARDEN JUNE 18

Bridge Party at Country Club of the Crystal Coast [ 1–4 PM ] Open to the public. At the Country Club of the Crystal Coast, 152 Oakleaf Drive, Pine Knoll Shores. Cost is $32 per table.

Bridge players will have access to our restaurant on the day of the Bridge Party for lunch at 11:30 a.m. or dinner after 5:30 p.m.

Reservations are required. Call 252-726-1034, ext. 17.

JUNE 26–27

✪ 55th Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour Peanut butter cookies smashed together with chocolate chip cookie dough.

[ 10 AM–5 PM ] This walking tour of private historic homes, gardens, churches and historic places is the last full weekend in June. Private homes, Beaufort Historic Site buildings, the Old Burying Ground, narrated bus tours of the historic district, music concerts and an antique car show are all highlights. For more information call 252728-5225.

JUNE 26

New! DQ Oven-Hot Bakes!

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✪ Antique show and sale Held in conjunction with the Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour, the show and sale takes place at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. This event features more than 40 booths of antiques and collectibles, as well as a gourmet tea room. For more information call 252-728-5225.S

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252- 354-3030 • WWW.SHARKS DEN SPORTSBAR.COM J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T

| 13

Recently engaged or thinking of your future wedding spot?

DreamMakers offers three stunningly decorated waterfront plantation-style estates.

We also provide design services, coordination, ceremony & reception locations on the Crystal Coast.

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Daddy– Daughter Dance

JUNE 20 AT 4 PM IZZY HUDGENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Join us for a special evening dedicated to all dads and their daughters. Stay tuned for information about themes and pricing.

PLANTING BEDS • PATIOS, WALKS, DRIVES FIRE PITS • RETAINING & SEATING WALLS DECKS, ARBORS, FENCES, PERGOLAS IRRIGATION • LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SOD INSTALLATION • SPECIAL PROJECTS ETHNIC GARDENS • STONE

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Join us for breakfast daily starting at 7am 7802 EMERALD DRIVE • EMERALD ISLE • 252.354.6592 • VILLAGEMARKETOFEI.COM

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6 $ 95 21 $ 05 16 $ 99 12 $ 99 18 $ 99 12 $ 25 9 $ 99 6 $ 99 24

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25

Chicken & Steak toppings may have additional charge. One coupon per customer.

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9104-C COAST GUARD ROAD EMERALD ISLE • 252.354.1211 WWW.LAZZARAPIZZA.COM

SPECIALS

LIVE MUSIC

MONDAY-TUESDAY

LOCAL APPRECIATION NIGHT

EVERYTHING 1/2 PRICE! WEDNESDAY

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ISLAND’S BEST DRINK SPECIALS Emerald Isle

6/12����8-11pm Big Drink 11-2am Robbie Jones 6/13����7-10pm Mighty Quinn 10-2am Eli Craig Band 6/18����Selah’s Dubb Camp DJ Natural Nate / Elephant Convoy Medicated Sunfish / Selah Dubb 6/19����10pm Nashville recording artist Bryan Mayer Band 6/20����7-10pm Naked Knees 10-2am Nashville recording artist Emily Minor Band 6/26����7-11pm Trevor and the Birds 6/27����7-10pm DJ Dance Party 10-2am Machine Gun 7/3������EIPH Club Luau • Free Food 7pm-Until DJ Robbie Jones 7/4������7pm Scearce and Ketner • Free Buffet 10pm Spare Change 7/5������7pm Big Drink 10pm Spare Change 7/11����Surf Rider Foundation Bogue Banks Chapter Party Selah Dubb & Herritage Band

Pinfish & Flounder (AGES 3 – 5)

Preschool Level I is a young child’s first formal swim class.

The goal of the class is to facilitate the process of swimming without the parent and introduce foundational skills such as streamlined “superman” arms that students would learn in more advanced classes.

Into Swim Lessons!

Register Online at

ccaw.net

Blue & Star Fish (AGES 5 AND UP) Children in this beginner class learn to swim independently, learning front and back stroke. Introduction to breaststroke and butterfly. Endurance and stroke development build the foundation for the next level.

Young Adults & Adults

For those who have have obtained a significant measure of comfort in the water and able to swim the width of the pool (40 feet). The class focuses on the coordination of arm and leg movements and developing proper body position while swimming. Students continue freestyle with rollover breathing, review elementary backstroke and are introduced to backstroke and side breathing.

300 TAYLOR NOTION ROAD • CAPE CARTERET CALL FOR INFORMATION! 252.393.1000

Information and online registration at www.ccaw.net!

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 1 9

ESTABLISHED 2001

WHERE THE

LOCALS EAT! 410 Cedar Point Boulevard CEDAR POINT

252.393.3030 www.BogueHouse.com

A S K T H E AQ UA R I U M

N C A Q UA R I U M S . C O M / P I N E - K N O L L - S H O R E S

FAQ

Q. I saw this beautiful butterfly on a wall outside the Aquarium. Any idea what kind it is?

W

e get this question often in spring. You were lucky to spot this gorgeous dusk-to-dawn flier. It’s definitely stunning enough to be a butterfly, but it’s actually a luna moth.

These beauties usually take wing only at night and on average have a life span of a mere week.

Lunas are one of the largest moths in North America. Their wingspans can reach a whopping 3 to 4 inches. These winged wonders appear in late spring, but because of their night-flying habit and short life they are seldom seen.

The best chance of a spying a luna is early evening or at night when they are sometimes found clinging to porch screens or flitting around outside lights.

Lunas don’t eat during their short week-long adult stage and with such a limited life span they must mate and lay eggs quickly. Mature females release a pheromone detectable from great distances by the feathery antennae of males. After mating, eggs are deposited on plants such as sweet gum, willow, walnut, beech, alder and persimmon. Once hatched, the young caterpillars feed voraciously on leaves of trees and shrubs to reach maturity and begin the reproduction process all over again.

Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquariums on Roanoke Island, at Fort Fisher and at Pine Knoll Shores or Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. S

Luna moths are night flyers with an adult life span of only a week.

about the

AQ UA R I U M Information provided by the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The state operates three public aquariums; one in Pine Knoll Shores, another at Fort Fisher and a third on Roanoke Island, as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The facilities are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and are designed to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.

—F O R M O R E I N F O —

For more information, call 1-800-832-FISH or visit ncaquariums.com.

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L I N DA B E R G M A N – A LT H O U S E

O U T E R BA N K S W I L D L I F E S H E LT E R

ABOUT O.W.L.S. Take a tour of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way, Newport. To volunteer, call 252-240-1200.

If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, the O.W.L.S. non-releasable education animals jump at the chance!

SON

OF THE

E

SUN!

Consider a nesting box to attract a breeding pair of these jewel-like members of the thrush family.

astern bluebirds have been enjoyed and respected throughout history as legends within many cultures. Native Americans believe bluebirds are the symbol of spring. The Cherokee believed they predicted or even controlled the weather.

Navajo and Pueblo tribes associated bluebirds with the sun and refer to them as Son of the Sun, but no matter what anyone calls them, bird enthusiasts enjoy watching these brilliant, royal blue song birds flit through the sky up to 17 miles per hour doing their spring things.

At the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, we recently admitted a nest of Eastern bluebirds after a home owner found the nest on the ground with four newborns in it. No one knows the back story, but that happens quite often when rescued spring babies are brought through our door. The very clean, tiny bluebirds were immediately examined and found to be injury free. They were immediately placed in a nursery incubator, hydrated and fed a diet of mealworms.

Two thirds of a bluebird’s diet consists of caterpillars, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and spiders in the wild, so mealworms substitute nicely in place of what Mom or Dad would have brought home for them. On rare occasions Eastern bluebirds have been recorded

eating salamanders, shrews, snakes, lizards and tree frogs. In fall and winter, bluebirds eat large amounts of fruit including mistletoe, sumac, blueberries, black cherry, tupelo, currants, wild holly, dogwood berries, hackberries, honeysuckle, bay, pokeweed and juniper berries.

Male Eastern bluebirds are vivid, deep blue above and rusty or brick-red on their throat and breast. The blue in birds always depends on light sources and males often look plain gray-brown from a distance. The duller but elegant in color females are bluish-gray above and tail with a subdued orange-brown breast.

The Eastern bluebird is a small thrush with a big, rounded head, large eyes, plump body and very alert posture. The flight wings are long, but their tail feathers and legs are fairly short. The black bill is short and straight.

You will see them perched very erect on telephone wires, posts and low branches in open country where they scan the ground for prey. They feed by swooping down to the ground onto insects, which they can spy from 60 feet away. They can also snatch an insect in mid air.

Bluebirds commonly use nest boxes that humans provide as well as old woodpecker holes several feet above the ground. They live in meadows and openings surrounded by trees with suitable nest cavities. With the proliferation of nest boxes and bluebird trails, bluebirds are now a common sight along roads, field edges, golf courses and other open areas. If they remain in a region for the winter, they usually group and seek cover in heavy thickets orchards or other areas in which adequate food, water and cover resources are available.

Mating occurs in the spring and summer.

As a courtship display, the male may sing and flutter his wings in front of the female with tail partly spread and while perched close together. Pairs may preen each other’s feathers.

The male may even feed his chosen female and bring her nesting materials.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 3

SAM’S FIELD NOTES

SAM BLAND

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sam Bland spent much of his life out in the field as a park ranger and park superintendent at the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. He joined the NC Coastal Federation and helps develop programs at the education center. He is also an accomplished photographer.

GREAT HORNED OWL With the help of a disgruntled crow, nature lover and photographer Sam Bland gets to meet a watchful great horned owl.

W

ith one foot in the kayak and the other on the dock, I pushed off like a kid propelling a skateboard. As the boat slowly glided away from the dock, I settled into the seat. Dipping the paddle into the water, I looked back to make sure the friendly dock owner’s equally friendly pooch wasn’t swimming after me. I was off to find two active bird nests: a great horned owl nest and a bald eagle nest. Moving through the clear water, I lifted the paddle too high a few times … the water ran down the length of the bar, soaking my hands. I was surprised at its coolness on this sunny March morning.

The short channel from the dock emptied into Broad Creek, which flows into the lower Neuse River just before reaching the big water of Pamlico Sound. Out on Broad Creek, a blue crab fisherman checking his crab pots meandered from float to float as if playing a game of connect the dots on the water. In the air, a group of brown pelicans glided above and behind the boat like kites tethered to the stern of the boat. As the crabber retrieved each pot, the pelicans hovered in the air for a few seconds before gently descending toward the water, optimistic that a scrap of crab bait was to be had. Their calmness turned into an all-out wing slapping scrum as they all lunged after the remains, their large, sword-like bills snapping at the water. One lone pelican stayed away from the fray, watching the commotion from a perch on a solitary piling. I paddled past the bird and then allowed the current to drift me back towards the piling. The bird faced me and stood erect as if showing off the elegant, golden breeding plumage that adorned the crown of its head. As I drifted past and around the piling, it kept its eyes directly on me without moving its head. It kept shuffling its feet to rotate its entire body, creating a Mona Lisa effect with its eyes following me.

I left the pelicans and paddled off to find the owl and eagle nests. By all indications from the intelligence that I received, this was going to be easy. A grand nest near the edge of the water with large, adult birds tending to the feeding of demanding chicks would not be hard to find. Paddling against a moderate chop, I headed for a small tributary known 2 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5

as Green Creek. This is where I began my search for the nests in earnest, scouring the shoreline for a dead pine tree loaded with a bulky stick nest. According to my reports, the great horned owls I was looking for had taken up residence in a year-old vacant osprey nest. Since they nest earlier in the year than ospreys, great horned owls don’t waste their energy building nests, they simply take advantage of opportunities. (If the osprey returns to claim ownership, the fish hawk will usually yield to the trespasser.)

I paddled in and out of the jagged shoreline unable to discover the nest at water level. So I beached the boat in a small, sandy area and commandeered a derelict duck blind as a viewing tower. Pointing my binoculars across to the distant shore I dialed in the focus rings and an osprey nest came into view. Staring directly at me was a white, fuzzy great horned owl chick, its penetrating yellow eyes piercing right through me. I couldn’t believe my luck. I viewed for a while from the opposite shore, observing only the lone chick cautiously raising its head to peek out over the rim of the nest. Its citrine eyes betrayed any chance of deception. Unlike the shoreline near the marina, this area was uninhabited—not a house in sight, just pine forest. I crossed the creek and directed the boat into a thick growth of grasses that lined the shore about fifty yards from the nest.

From here I began my surveillance, sure that one of the adult owls would soon join the chick.

Off in the distance I could hear the sharp call of an osprey, maybe a protest against the owls. Its call returned many times throughout the day like an echo bouncing back from the past. I reclined in the seat of the kayak and waited. The wind was dying down, its only footprint a slight ripple on the water. My concealment and stagnant posture soon lured a lesser scaup to land in the water only twenty feet away. It eagerly swam away as I raised my body to get a look at the owl nest. Two white heads now bobbled above the nest as they stretched their wings and stood more erect. Any movement from

“

me caused them to swivel their heads and resulted in a death stare from four stern eyes.

Since owl eyes are fixed in their sockets, the owl must rotate the entire head to follow movement. Folklore still persists that an owl can spin its head entirely around, when in fact they are only able to rotate 270 degrees.

Impressive, but not quite a complete circle.

As not to stress the birds, I pulled the kayak ashore and started hiking away from the nest and across the peninsula of land that the nest was on. Somewhere along these shores, between Green and Smith Creeks, there once stood an ancient live oak tree known as Teach’s Oak. This landmark alluded to the pirate Blackbeard’s voyages into the Pamlico Sound. Though the tree is long gone, the legend still inspires treasure hunters to search for a mythical reward. I wasn’t looking for gold doubloons, but I was trying to reach the shoreline that meets the Neuse River to locate the eagle nest. Discouraged by thick undergrowth that ripped open exposed skin,

Great horned owls are tough, powerful predators that shudder at nothing.

These ferocious raptors view just about anything as prey, earning them the nickname ‘tiger owl.’

crawling ticks, soft mucky soil and numerous mosquito control ditches, I graciously gave up on spotting the eagle nest without any regret.

Off in the distance, I could hear the irritating sound of shouting crows. I smiled knowing that they had located at least one of the adult great horned owls, making it an easy find for me. Up on the sturdy branch of a pine tree, a riot of crows was attempting to mug the oblivious owl.

Great horned owls are tough, powerful predators that shudder at nothing. These ferocious raptors view just about anything as prey, earning them the nickname “tiger owl.” Unconcerned with the annoying crows, the owl went back to napping and the crows soon left.

Without the crows’ assistance, I probably would have never seen the owl. Its cryptic camouflage of mixed patterns of brown and gray plumage blended well into the surrounding woods. Even its trademark ear

tufts, or “horns,” (which have nothing to do with their hearing) help to break up the silhouette of its head.

The owl’s perch was not far from the nest and had an unobstructed flight path to silently swoop down and defend its young if necessary. As I climbed back into my kayak I now had six strict eyes urging me to move on, so I did. Owls have been a symbol of death or thought of as a bad omen, while at the same time a symbol of intelligence and wisdom. On this day I thought of none of this. I just enjoyed being in their presence, happy that they exist.

With the sun setting, the boat effortlessly skimmed atop the smooth water as I paused for a few last looks. The downy owlet heads recoiled into the depths of the nest as the parent released its strong grip from the tree and swooped down over the marsh grasses, gliding into the silence of the approaching night. S

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 5

CALL OF THE WILD!

S

THE BENEFITS OF AN OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMP

ummer is right around the corner and while kids are looking forward to a break from academics and early mornings, parents are fraught with how to keep their kids from spending the summer in front of an electronic gadget. An outdoor, naturefilled camp experience may be just the solution.

Spending time outside is the perfect antidote for a lack of connection to the natural world and a nature-based day camp is a wonderful way to jumpstart your kid’s interests in the great outdoors.

They’ll still be learning, but it will be fun With a classroom comprised of local parks, islands, creeks, sounds and beaches, the hands-on experiences kids get during our outdoors camp will help them make connections in the classroom.

Nature-based experiences are a great complement to traditional classroom lessons in subjects from ecology, geology, biology, art and more. Time spent outdoors at camp allows kids to actually observe, measure, test and touch things they may have only seen in books.

Unplug from Online Recent studies found that the average child 8-18 spends 45 hours a week interacting with electronic media. An outdoor day camp is a great way to get your kids to disconnect. Spending time away from video games and social media help them to make personal connections with others.

It’s a Great Adventure Have you ever explored a marsh? Planted a living shoreline? Hunted for seashells on an island?

Traced the steps of native explorers? Outdoor

camps get kids out in the field and out of their comfort zone, exposing them to new experiences and perhaps sparking a new interest that lasts beyond their week at camp.

Fresh Air Being outdoors and breathing in the fresh air during outdoor activities makes you feel great. It cleanses your lungs and improves blood circulation throughout the body, resulting in increased energy levels and an overall euphoric feeling!

Sunshine Being outside in the sun increases vitamin D3 intake, important for bone development and metabolic function. Getting kids more sunlight also keeps their body’s internal clock adjusted, helping them sleep better at night.

Reconnect with nature Exposure to new habitats and creatures encourages children’s instinctive fascination with science and nature and opens up their world to new ways of thinking about the world around them.

Get Moving Nature-based camps offer fun, excitement and lessons that last a lifetime. Outside activities get kids running, jumping, hiking and paddling with new and old friends. And research has shown that physical activity builds self-esteem and motivation at every age!

So, get moving and get the kids to an outdoors camp in your area this summer. For more information visit us at nccoast.org or call 252-3938185. S

2 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5

Spend a week of your summer exploring coastal North Carolina’s great outdoors! Each day is filled with a new up-close encounter with our coastal environment.

NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION COASTAL DISCOVERY SUMMER CAMPS RISING GRADES 4-6 June 29-July 2 and July 20-24 RISING GRADES 7-9 July 6-10 and July 27- 31 • Get hands-on with a variety of creatures from the land and sea.

• Visit sites where Native Americans lived and pirates landed.

• Travel to a new location each day including local parks, islands and beaches.

Discover what really lives in the waters and marshes along our coast.

Help to keep our coastal waters clean and healthy.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Flexible drop off hours!

Cost $200

per child, per week

Visit us at 3609 Hwy 24, Ocean, NC | nccoast.org 252-393-8185

C A P TA I N J E F F C R O N K

HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT

SUMMER DAZE!

A H O O K E D U P L O O K AT W H AT ’ S B I T I N G I N J U N E

A

s June settles in and locals and tourists make their way to the beaches and coastal waters, rest assured there will be plenty of rod-bending, reel-screaming action for everyone. I’ve now been operating Fish’n4Life Charters and Ecology Tours for 16 years and really enjoy every moment I spend fishing and teaching the families I have onboard. Now that summer is here and school is getting out, it’s the perfect time to plan a coastal vacation and expose your family and friends to this unique environment. Whether you’re a fishing enthusiast, you find enjoyment in the biodiversity of marine life or you just like taking in the beautiful coastal landscapes, there is so much the Crystal Coast has to offer during the summer daze!

June fishing

By June, every species that North Carolina has to offer is readily available, both inshore and nearshore. Regardless of the heat, all of these species must eat. There are definitely some factors—such as water temperature, tidal flow, available bait, weather systems and the moon phases—that will affect the bite. Learning these patterns is key to a successful trip each time you’re on the water. Anglers who can do this for every species available is able to adapt to almost any conditions Mother Nature can throw at them and still catch fish.

Nearshore fishing

FISH’N 4 LIFE Captain Jeff Cronk leads fishing and nature charters on the Crystal Coast. To get out on the water with him, call 910‑325‑8194. You can also visit him online at nccharterfishing.com.

The nearshore water temperatures will be holding steady around 70-80 degrees and everything will be biting! May proved incredible with plenty of 30–60-lb. Cobia, deckloads of big summer Flounder and excellent Spanish Mackerel blitzes. This action will continue and anglers can also expect to see record numbers of large Sea Bass along with plenty of Grouper, Amberjack, Mahi, Barracuda, King Mackerel and even a chance at a Sailfish! Be sure to check out the current bite through Chais’n Tails Outdoors in Atlantic Beach and Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro. Both tackle shops have every bait you’ll need for your next fishing trip.

You’ll definitely want to load up on 2–3-oz. bucktails and Gulp Shrimp to target those nearshore flounder and large seabass this June. The hottest new bucktail on the market, specifically designed to target those nearshore flounder, is the Bett’s Flounder Fanatic Bucktail.

It’s the only bucktail on the market with ringshank bait keepers and a right angle hook which, results in more hook ups with fish and less snags to the bottom! I’ve tested these bucktails and the results are incredible. You can find them at your local tackle store and online. Light lining citation Spanish will offer some steady nearshore action this month around the live bottoms and artificial reefs within a few miles of the beach. To be successful catching these big Spanish will require using 4– 6" live Menhaden or Finger Mullet which, I prefer to fish on two number 4 gold treble hooks rigged with 30-lb. solid Malin wire. If it’s a big King Mackerel or Mahi you prefer, you might want to step up your hook size to a number 2 and your wire to a 40–60-lb. solid wire. I like to mix up the baits. I always bring along live Menhaden but, it’s important to take the time to jig up some Cigar Minnows or Greenies to add variety to your spread. If you’re ready to tackle an arm-busting brute, set up a heavy spinning rod with 60–100-lb. braid, some 80–100-lb. fluorocarbon, a 6/0 to 7/0 circle hook and slow troll around the nearshore artificial reefs for a chance to hook up with a Reef Donkey (Amberjack). It’s hard to beat a 6–8" live Menhaden to get their attention! These brutes are undoubtedly the strongest pulling fish for their size and actually make excellent table fare.

Inshore fishing June’s inshore water temperatures will be hovering between 75 and 80 degrees with cooler water in the deep channels and the hot water on the shallow flats and bays. Anglers will find plenty of bait along the ICW and mainland creeks. These creeks will be full of newly hatched CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 5 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 7

DI S C OV E RY DI V I NG

LEE MOORE

DIVING OUR COAST

IN JUNE

O

JOIN DISCOVERY Contact Discovery Diving at 252‑728‑2265 or visit them on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up. You can also visit discoverydiving.com.

JOIN ECARA ECARA works to continue sinking ships to create artificial reefs here in North Carolina, but their resources are limited. To get involved with ECARA, visit carolinareef.org to check out their current project list.

ffshore water temperatures in May reached the normal range of the mid 70s by the end of the month while the inshore water temperatures were in the low 70s. Tropical fish were on the offshore wrecks as expected, but were already showing up on the inshore wrecks in May as well. As the water temperatures continue to increase, more tropical and fish will be showing up on all of the wrecks. Radio Island reached the low 70s by the end of the month, allowing Open Water students the opportunity to get certified and begin their diving lifestyle.

The wreck of the Caribsea lies in a comfortable 85 feet of water about ten miles east of the Cape Lookout Shoals. The visibility in summer is on average about 40 feet but because it is located so close to the shoals, the visibility can be 15 to 20 feet. It can also be 80 to 100 feet. It is scattered and broken up due to the Navy Salvage Service, which depth charged and wire dragged it as a hazard to navigation in the spring of 1944. The bow section of the wreck extends to about 60 feet from the surface and the rest of the wreck is scattered in a roughly continuous debris field. In 2005, the weight of the windlass on top of the bow caused the deck to begin to fall inward. Also in 2005, the starboard anchor fell from the bow and is now resting on the ocean floor. The stern still has some structure that offers relief from the sand and is concluded with the rudderpost. Just past the rudderpost, in the sand, is the propeller shaft.

Between the bow and stern sections, the boilers and engine are the most prominent features.

The starboard boiler has broken its mounts and can move back and forth in heavy surge. Other than the wreck itself, the main draw for divers to the wreck are the Sand Tiger Sharks. Besides the Sand Tigers, the Caribsea also has grouper, flounder, sea bass, amberjacks, triggerfish, oyster toadfish, barracuda, blennies and damselfish. This is just some of the marine life that can be seen on the wreck.

The freighter Caribsea, previously known as the Buenoventura and the Lake Flattery, was traveling from Santiago, Cuba to Norfolk, VA loaded with manganese. Captain Nicholas Manolis, having been told of the dangerous U-boats lurking in these waters, took many unusual precautions to save his crew. The radio operator was only on duty at night with instructions to transmit an SOS at the first sign of trouble without orders from the bridge. The engine room likewise was told to run aback full in case of an explosion without orders from command. The lifeboats were equipped with hatchets to cut them away instead of trying to lower them normally.

The weather on the evening of March 10, 1942, was clear with fair visibility. At 2 a.m., the U-158 fired two torpedoes at the starboard side of the ship. One hit in the No. 2 cargo hold and the other hit amidships. The ship sank in three minutes. Captain Manolis’ preparations were to no use. No SOS was ever sent and the lifeboats were not launched. Only seven of the crew of 28 survived. Since the lifeboats weren’t launched, the survivors had to cling to wreckage for 10 hours before they were picked up by the freighter SS Norlindo.

The engineer, Jim Baum Gaskill, was a resident of Ocracoke. Before news of the sinking of the Caribsea reached Ocracoke, the residents knew of its fate. There are two versions of how that happened. One version was that Jim’s father, Bill Gaskill, was cleaning up after a storm from the previous night. As he was inspecting his dock, he noticed a large plank bumping up against it. When he pulled the plank from the water, he saw the ship’s name, “Caribsea.” The second version is that the glass case that held Gaskill’s engineer’s license came ashore near Ocracoke Village a few days after the sinking.

If you would like to go out to the Caribsea or any of the other wrecks off of the Crystal Coast, contact Discovery Diving at dive@discoverydiving.com, 252-728-2265 or like us on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up in the near future. S

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Hooked up, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 Mullet Minnows, Shrimp and Peanut Pogies that will eventually make their way toward the open waters. All of these bait fish will gain the interest of a variety of popular sportfish including Flounder, Redfish, Bluefish, Trout, Black Drum, Sheepshead and more!

Redfishing will be great this month. To quickly cover ground, it’s best to work top water baits along marsh shores during the higher part of a tide. If you’re fishing around a lot of shell, using a spinner bait is a great way to avoid hang-ups and draw in strikes. In all situations though, a jighead tipped with a gulp bait is my go-to bait because every species will attack it. The key, regardless of which bait you’re working, is to slow down and pay attention to the water. Look for skittish baits, puffs of mud on the bottom in the distant and headwater off schooling redfish. Keep in mind the limit is still one redfish per day per angler and the size limit is 18–27".

Flounder fishing has been great so far this spring and should only get better through summer. I really like fishing a Berkley Gulp shrimp or Pogie on a ¼–1-oz. bucktail or jig head around deep water structure like bridge and dock pylons for big Flounder. If you find yourself getting a lot of “bite offs” on your scented baits, switch over to a live Finger Mullet or Mud Minnow fished on a Carolina rig to avoid losing costly lures.

Flounder will usually stage up to feed on the falling tide where small creeks drain into larger creeks or channels as well as on major depth changes in the bottom of a creek channel. Drifting the inlets is very effective this month as Summer Flounder are migrating in from the ocean.

Other species that offer plenty of fun this month are Black Drum and Sheepshead. These two species really prefer shrimp and crabs. I like to use a 1/0 owner short shank, wide gap hook for the sheepshead and a number one circle hook for the black drum. Both species can be found around structure including bridge and dock pylons, oyster beds, rock jetties and rock walls. S

Brad Byrd battled this 36-lb. Cobia on light tackle after it struck a live menhaden near Beaufort Inlet while onboard Fish’n4life Charters this May.

Greg Hancock from Greensboro landed this 40-lb. Redfish while jigging for Cobia just outside of Beaufort Inlet with Capt. Jeff Cronk this May.

Bluebirds, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Eastern bluebirds are usually monogamous and the pair will return to the same nesting area each year. A mature female typically raises two broods each season with the first brood staying close by to continue learning bluebird ways, help raise the new youngsters and to occasionally beg for supplemental feedings. Eastern bluebirds are very social birds and at times they gather in flocks of a hundred or more, but they are territorial during breeding season and will defend their feeding and nesting area. Females handle the construction of a nest, which takes around 10 days. The nests are small, cup-like structures lined with grass, feathers, pine needles, stems and hair. The female incubates the 3 to 7 light blue or, rarely, white eggs, which hatch after 13 to 16 days. Although

the male is quite the vocalist, he will refrain from singing during incubation to prevent predators from finding the nest.

Bluebird young cannot care for themselves after hatching. The female broods the chicks for up to seven days. Both parents are very neat housekeepers who remove the infants’ fecal sacs and continually refresh the nest.

Fledglings leave the nest 15 to 20 days after hatching. Both parents cooperate in raising the young.

Bluebird numbers declined significantly in the 60s due to habitat loss and predation, but have bounced back due human initiatives like bluebird boxes and birding trails. The global breeding population number has now been placed at 22 million, with 86 percent of bluebirds spending part of the year in the

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United States.

Eastern bluebirds don’t visit feeders often, but they are a great prospect for nest boxes if you have the space to put one up in your yard. And remember, they do eat insects, so a few bluebirds in your area will help keep those pesky critters at bay. Maybe that’s one of the reasons bluebirds are also a symbol of happiness!

Consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. Make sure it’s up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to stop raiding predators like flying squirrels, black bears, fire ants, raccoons, snakes and chipmunks.

So, binoculars up, everyone! We don’t want to miss that streak of vibrant blue happiness jetting through the sky and across the sun! S

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