May 06th, 2022

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MAY 6, 2022

GOING HOME

More than two dozen of the world’s most endangered sea turtles journey from New England to North Carolina for a return back to the ocean COASTOBX.COM

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

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The perfect place to start or end your day!

15 + varieties of New York Bagels Homemade soups and lunch specialties Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pastries, and more Cozy coffee shop Custom cakes and pies Build your own breakfast sandwich ALL MADE FRESH DAILY

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3 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

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Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

4

Life takes you down many paths, but the best ones lead to the beach.

OUTER BANKS VACATION RENTALS & REAL ESTATE SALES Whether you are looking for the perfect place to vacation or seeking to invest in your own Outer Banks beach house, we offer unprecedented service in making your experience the best it can be. Kick off your shoes and stay a while!

May flowers: Coastal Gardening Festival returns The Dare Master Gardener Volunteer Association hosts its popular Coastal Gardening Festival on May 14 in Kill Devil Hills. The highlight is the huge plant sale, featuring everything from trees to house plants. The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. outside the Thomas A. Baum Senior Center at 300 Mustian St. All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Arboretum and Teaching Garden.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE joelambjr.com • joelambrealty.com • 800-552-6257

The ‘Secret of Corolla’ A film about the wild horses of the windswept northern Outer Banks wins a major film award Page 8

-In Dine r i s t Ou Or Vi o To-G ! w o Wind

Be s visit ure to t Arth he Awful ur ’s Be Shop while ach yo are h ere! u

Celebrating Over 35 Years!

LUNCH & DINNER • ALL ABC PERMITS RAW BAR • OCEAN VIEW LOUNGE

Close encounters Joseph Robbins sent in a photo of a little blue heron taking flight at Monkey Island in Currituck County. Check him out, plus other wildlife encounters, on Page 16

’Tis the season Lighthouse climbing season is back! The Bodie Island and Currituck Beach lighthouses are open to climbers through early fall. Page 23

ABOUT COAST COAST covers the people, places and characteristics that make the Outer Banks a beach destination for families, surfers and anglers from around the world. For more than 30 years, this publication has featured individuals making a difference in the community, highlighted the latest happenings and shared events that shouldn’t be missed – from live music to theatrics, food festivities, art shows, fishing, surfing, and more.

All local. All the time.

This is COAST.

252.441.5955 • awfularthursobx.com

MP6 Beach Road, 2016 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC

EDITOR Kari Pugh karipugh@icloud.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Fairbank John T. Harper Kip Tabb Vickie Shufer ADVERTISE WITH US Find out how you can engage more readers with an integrated marketing program.

John“Ski”Miller, media sales manager, ski.miller@ virginiamedia.com; Elizabeth Catoe, senior account executive, elizabeth.catoe@ virginiamedia.com

THINGS TO KNOW During the summer season (May-August), when Coast is a weekly publication, information must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of an event.

During the shoulder season (September-October), when Coast is a monthly publication — with the exception of November-December and January-February, when two months are combined —information must be submitted at least 14 days in advance of an event.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information, visit coastobx.com; facebook.com/CoastOBX

5

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Visit Our General Store Candy, Fudge, Coffee & Delights Galore • Remember your visit to the Outer Banks with a personalized ornament • Browse among our Thousands of Ornaments Table Top - Home Decor • Jewelry - Engraved Gifts Halloween Haunted House On the way to the NC Aquarium, Festival Park & Lost Colony.

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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

OUTER BANKS ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SHOP...SINCE 1967

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

6

TOP 10 EVENTS MAY 2022

By David Fairbank

www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/bils. htm; 252-473-2111

Art exhibit: 25th Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show | May 1-28 Annual judged art show honoring one of founders of Dare County Arts Council. Entries in multiple media. Judged by studio jeweler, metalsmith and enamelist and College of Albemarle assistant prof. Kathryn Osgood.

Dare Co. Arts Council building, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo; Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m-4 p.m. www.darearts.org; 252-473-5558

Hang gliding: 5 0 th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular | May 1 9 -2 2 Kitty Hawk Flight School hosts annual event that draws gliders and spectators from many states. Includes competition, demonstrations, equipment for viewing and sale, activities for non-competitors.

Registration fees and aerotow fees for competitors, spectators can watch for free. Sites are Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head; behind Cotton Gin, Jarvisburg.

Tentative schedule, competition Thursday at Cotton Gin at 9 a.m., Friday at Jockey’s Ridge at 11 a.m., Saturday-Sunday at Jockey’s Ridge at 10 a.m. www.kittyhawk.com; 252-441-2426

Correspondent

Car show: OBX Rod and Custom Festival | May 6-7 Annual auto enthusiast show attracts cars and spectators from all over region. Custom cars, street rods, restorations, vintage vehicles, cruise-ins, static displays, special events. Vendors and food on-site. Soundside event site, 6800 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head; Vertigo event site, 7594 Shipyard Rd., Manns Harbor. All day. www.obxrodandcustomfestival.com; Michael at 252-305-5789 Lighthouse celebration: Bodie Island Light Station 150th anniversary | May 2 6

Historic commemoration of lighthouse, whose construction began in 1871 and was first lit Oct. 1, 1872. Registrants will receive Zoom link for program, featuring presentation by Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park Ranger Tom Avery. 7-8:30 p.m.

$4.99

Daily Breakfast Specials 7 am - 2 pm

Nature walk: Town of Duck Nature on the Boardwalk | May 1 0, May 24

Guided walk along Duck boardwalk, with NC Aquarium educator discussing local marine and plant life. Starts at Duck Town Hall, approximately one-mile walk.

Free, but space limited to 15 people. Must register with town. 1200 Duck Road. May 10, 7:30-9 p.m., May 24, 9:30-11 a.m. www.townofduck.com/event; 252-2551234 Gardening: Coastal Gardening Festival | May 1 4

Wide variety of plants, shrubs, flowers and trees for sale. Master gardeners

site, 6800 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head. 2-8 p.m. www.facebook.com/Dare2CareOBX/ Music: Ruth Wyand | May 22

Local blues icon Ruth Wyand performs a Sunday late afternoon show at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. 600 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills. 5:30 p.m. www.ruthwyand.com; 252-449-2739 Fishing: Hatteras Village Offshore Open | May 1 0-1 4

Paul Mazzoni of Pittsburgh, Pa., soars from a dune in Kill Devil Hills during a past Kitty Hawk Kites’ Hang Gliding Spectacular, which returns this month for its 50th annual competition. COURTESY PHOTO

available to discuss plants and growing.

Arboretum tours. Vendors selling garden art, pottery, hand-crafted items, food.

Kid-friendly activities related to horticulture. Free admission. Thomas A. Baum Senior Center, 300 Mustian St., Kill Devil Hills, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. www.dare.ces.ncsu.edu/2022⁄04/coastal-gardening-festival/; 252-473-4290 Festival: OBX Shred Fest | May 2 1

Family-friendly event that features local bands and exhibitions by professional skateboarders and BMX riders, as well as roller derby women. Also food and craft vendors. Tickets TBA. Soundside event

Look what Jolly’s doing this season!

May

2022 Events and Specials!

RESTAURANT & BAR

KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC

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Longtime billfish tournament celebrates its 28th year and attracts anglers from all over East Coast. Headquarters in Hatteras Village, at south end of island. Cash prizes for top catches in both Level 1 and Level 2. Four days of fishing, and corresponding events hosted by area businesses and restaurants. Registration May 10, anglers fish three of next four days from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Weigh-ins at docks from 3-7 p.m. www.hvoo.org; 252-986-2579 Memorial: British Cemetery Ceremony | May 1 3

Ocracoke Island commemoration of 80th anniversary of British sailors killed by German U-boat off North Carolina coast in World War II. HMT Bedfordshire sunk on May 11, 1942, all 37 on board killed. Two bodies spotted in surf and ID’d, two others believed to be crew members found in ocean north of Ocracoke. All four buried at British Cemetery. Graveside ceremony at

Karaoke Nightly from 9:00 pm to midnight!

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Veal Marsala $18.99 • Fried Oysters $22.99 Fettuccini Alfredo with Shrimp $23.99 Catch Of The Day (Market Price) Chicken Saltimbocca $17.99 Lasagna $15.99 • Manicotti alla Bolognese $17.99 Ravioli $13.99 • Chicken Parmesan $15.99 Spaghetti & Meatballs $15.99 Blackened Chicken Carbonara $18.99

Shrimp & Grits smothered in a three Call UP TO 16 OZ cheese pancetta sauce, $21.95 NTN Poker topped with lobster, STEAK EXTRAVAGANZA for sliced tomatoes and Live Trivia Tournament 5 pm (served w/2 sides) Live music with seasoned bread crumbs. and Musical Prime Rib 10 oz $29.99 Beef & Reef - Prime Rib Joel on Friday Wii Bowling nightly Live music with Bill $21.95 with 6 Shrimp or Scallops $32.99 nights from Bingo and friends on the Tournament Rib-Eye Steak $25.99 6:00-8:00 pm 6:00 pm deck 6:00-8:00 pm 6:00-8:00 pm specials.

Specials Locals! - Nightly Locals! - Mon-Fri 441-6530 • www.jollyrogerobx.com • MP 6 3/4 Beach Road, KDH Dinner 20% OFF Dinner 20% OFF Lunch Start at 4 pm Check with your server for the seafood creation of the night.

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7

Donation helps launch expansion at Water’s Edge Village School

Corolla residents Wayne and Betty Evans recently pledged $250,000 to help Water’s Edge Village School in Corolla build an additional schoolhouse.

The tuition-free school, founded in 2012 and guided by a mission to incorporate whole child development with an emphasis on project-based, hand-on learning, has grown from 15 to 43 students. The new building will accommodate current needs and future growth by providing an additional three classrooms, a community room, a resource room, and a teacher’s office, the school said in a news release.

The school publicly launched its capital campaign April 12 during a celebration at the historic 1890s schoolhouse.

The campaign’s goal is to raise $1.35 million.

Contributions to the capital campaign can be made on the school’s website or by mailing payments to PO Box 215, Corolla, N.C., 27927.

League of Women Voters luncheon is May 12

The Dare League of Women Voters will spotlight Karen Brown, president and CEO of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, on May 12 at 3 Tequilas restaurant, 804 S. Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills.

Lunch attendees will hear a talk focused on one of the chamber’s stated goals: providing opportunities for the membership to be successful in their businesses and organizations.

RSVP by May 11 at www. lwvdarenc.org.

Civic association meets

Betty and Wayne Evans surrounded by students at the Water’s Edge Village School in Corolla. The couple recently donated $250,000 to help the charter school build a new schoolhouse.

The Fruitville Beach Civic Association is having their general membership meeting on Saturday, May 28, at 11:30 a.m.

The meeting will be at the Carova Beach Volunteer Fire & Rescue station at 2169 Ocean Pearl Road in Corolla.

BUSINESS NEWS

New owner says Weeping Radish won’t reopen this summer

COURTESY PHOTO

The new owner of Weeping Radish Farm Brewery and Butchery, a major attraction on the Outer Banks since 1986, won’t be reopening this summer as planned.

Sumit Gupta of SAGA Realty & Construction acquired the landmark brewery from owner and founder Uli Bennewitz in a deal that closed at the end of last year.

In a news release, Gupta said due to the renovation process and other factors, “we will not be opening this summer.”

“Our primary goals are to provide our guests with the best experience, while continuing to extend the Weeping Radish’s success. It became clear we would not be staying true to either goal by rushing to open,” he said.

The Weeping Radish is North Carolina’s oldest microbrewery, originally operating in Manteo next to the Christmas Shop and Island Art Gallery on U.S. 64. In 2005, Weeping Radish moved 35 miles north to a 25-acre

farm in Currituck County.

Rack Room debuts renovated Nags Head store Rack Room Shoes has renovated its Outlets Nags Head store, expanding by nearly 2,000 square feet, improving layout and updating with energy-efficient LED lighting and new flooring.

Located at 7100 S. Croatan Highway, the family footwear retailer now has a more spacious entryway, wider aisles and a brightened space.

Brindley Beach now servicing Hatteras Island Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales is now servicing the Hatteras Island area and signing new owners for the 2023 season. The company now represents vacation homes on the Outer Banks spanning from Hatteras to Corolla’s 4x4 area.

Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

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“The Secret of Corolla”film about the Outer Banks wild horses wins international honors.

Wild horse film wins honors at EQUUS arts fest

By Kipp Tabb Correspondent

Jerry Thompson wasn’t upset when his documentary film about the Outer Banks wild horses, “The Secret of Corolla,” placed second at the 2021 EQUUS Film & Arts Fest.

The winning entry was Robert Redford’s film, “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses,” putting the second place finish in perspective.

“The Redford film was mostly about the [Bureau of Land Management] ponies out west. So, to come in second place behind a Robert Redford film. I’m okay with that,” he said.

The EQUUS second-place ribbon is not the only winning entry Thompson’s film

has had. He also won an Award of Excellence at the Shelby Foothills Film Festival.

The movie, about 30 minutes long, is a beautifully filmed tribute to the fourwheel drive area of Carova on the northern Outer Banks as much as it is the story of the wild horses that roam there. Although he touches on the history of the Corolla herd, by design he does not come to any conclusions.

“I think it was more important to realize what we have, and not make a big deal out of something that’s sort of irrelevant,” he said. “It’s more important that we enjoy it and protect it than it is to win an argument about genetics.

Thompson said the Outer Banks has been a special place throughout his life.

He grew up in Norfolk and our strip of the

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coast was, “…my dad’s absolute favorite place.”

He’s living in Tennessee now, but the Outer Banks still call to him.

“When I had kids we made that our go-to place,” he said. “It’s my favorite place to vacation on the earth.”

While on vacation in Carova in 2016, the idea for a movie first took root.

“We were staying in the 4x4, around 2016. Just looking around, it’s such a peaceful, calming place. I got to thinking, ‘how did this place get like this.’ That was the seed for the idea to do the movie,” Thompson said.

As a professional filmmaker, a movie was the natural outlet for telling the story.

His film company, Big Dog Films, had been making movies for schools and corpora-

It’s easy to start your online access!

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tions for a number of years, but nothing like his award-winning Outer Banks project. “‘The Secret of Corolla’ is my first film that that I did for me. It’s a challenge and it took us a while from 2016 until 2021. So it was a good four-and-a-half year process of getting through it and I loved every second of it,” Thompson said.

There may be more awards coming later this year. He entered the film in the International Equus Film and Arts Festival in Dillon, Montana.

“The festival is in September,” he said. “I sure would love to go to that. That would be a fun time.”

You can purchase the “The Secret of Corolla” on the Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s website at corollawildhorses.com.

9

LAND ROANOKE ISLAND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

SEA START PLANNING YOUR NEXT GETAWAY

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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

AIR

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

10

More than two dozen rehabilitated sea turtles traveled from New England, most of them in banana boxes, to be released off the Outer Banks on Monday. KARI PUGH/STAFF

Riding the waves after a ride from New England

Rehabilitated sea turtles, rescued from Cape Cod, are released off the Outer Banks

By Kari Pugh | Editor Packed in banana boxes, more than two dozen of the world’s most endangered sea turtles began a journey from New England to North Carolina last week, arriving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore for a return back to the ocean.

Twenty-five Kemp’s ridley turtles, along with one loggerhead too big for a banana box, spent months in rehabilitative care after suffering cold stunning — a type of hypothermia in reptiles exposed to cold water for prolonged periods — over the winter in Cape Cod. Turn to Sea turtles, Page 11

from Page 10

The turtles, released into the warm water across from the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, included 10 turtles from the New England Aquarium, five from Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, five from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in New York, and six from New York Marine Rescue Center.

Staff and volunteers from a New England wildlife sanctuary rescued the turtles from Cape Cod beaches between November and January, said Adam Kennedy, New England Aquarium’s rescue manager.

Turtles hampered by cold stunning float to the surface and are unable to move.

Much like humans battling the flu, recovery depends on the turtle as well as length of exposure, overall size and health and whether they also come down with upper respiratory infections or pneumonia. All need to be eating well and pass a swim test to return to the ocean.

Most of the turtles released Monday were triaged at the New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital and spent months at the rehabilitative facilities, receiving treatment for conditions including pneumonia and dehydration.

With the ocean off North Carolina warm enough in the springtime for the turtles to survive, the New England Aquarium organized a turtle caravan, leaving last Wednesday and stopping to pick up turtles from other rehab facilities along the way.

During the trip, the aquarium van’s temperature was set for the water temperature at the release site, about 66 degrees. The turtles received fluids to prepare them for a return to the ocean.

“They’ve been off medications for a month now, eating well and acting like they want to go,” Kennedy said.

And go they did. After aquarium staff opened the banana boxes near the surf, the rehabbed turtles flapped fins and scooted into the sea.

Among the turtles released was a Kemp’s ridley that had surgery to remove an ingested balloon ribbon that extended from outside its beak, through its digestive tract, and out its posterior, the New England Aquarium said in a news release.

“Aquarium staff originally intended to release the turtle, named ‘Star Anise,’ by staff, this summer off of Cape Cod, but the turtle recovered more quickly than anticipated and was able to join the N.C. transport,” the release said. “Other turtles released included “Bay Leaf,” “Sage,” and “Chicory”— in keeping with this year’s naming theme of spices.”

Cold stunning is an annual event, both in New England and along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. This past winter, Cape Cod beaches saw more than 500 sea turtles stranded due to cold stunning, Kennedy said. The remaining turtles in New England Aquarium care will be released off Cape Cod in the summer months, once the waters have warmed.

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11 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

Sea turtles

13

12 Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

Pirates ~ Puzzles ~ Games ~ John Deere

A Hatteras Island Tradition

Open Daily

3 pm to 9 pm

Avon, North Carolina Dine-in Seating (Including Larger Patio) or Carryout!

We offer a great family friendly dining experience, lively pub and unforgettable food from our scratch-made kitchen.

Our patio is dog friendly!

Our private dining rooms are perfect for large parties, special events and wedding receptions!

252-995-5550 • www.froggydog.com Live Music Wednesday and Friday Evenings

Hawaiian Shaved Ice Italian Ice Shakes Sundaes Smoothies

Custom Ice Cream Cakes!

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Salt Water Taffy ~ Truffles Fudge ~ Chocolates Open Daily from 10 am to 5 pm Hwy 12 in Buxton right before the turnoff to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 252-995-7171 46928 NC 12 Buxton NC

Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

Hatteras Island

13

12 Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

Pirates ~ Puzzles ~ Games ~ John Deere

A Hatteras Island Tradition

Open Daily

3 pm to 9 pm

Avon, North Carolina Dine-in Seating (Including Larger Patio) or Carryout!

We offer a great family friendly dining experience, lively pub and unforgettable food from our scratch-made kitchen.

Our patio is dog friendly!

Our private dining rooms are perfect for large parties, special events and wedding receptions!

252-995-5550 • www.froggydog.com Live Music Wednesday and Friday Evenings

Hawaiian Shaved Ice Italian Ice Shakes Sundaes Smoothies

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Salt Water Taffy ~ Truffles Fudge ~ Chocolates Open Daily from 10 am to 5 pm Hwy 12 in Buxton right before the turnoff to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 252-995-7171 46928 NC 12 Buxton NC

Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

Hatteras Island

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

14

National Hurricane Center satellite image of storms in the Atlantic basin in September 2020, the most active hurricane season on record with 30 named storms. COURTESY

Expect a busy hurricane season

Potential recordbreaking year looms in Atlantic, researchers say

By Kari Pugh

Editor

North Carolina State University researchers predict the Atlantic basin will see another record-breaking number of severe storms this year.

The university is forecasting from 17-21 named storms, with 7-9 hurricanes — 3-5 which will be major. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The average for named storms from 1951 to 2021 is 11 per season, the university said in a news release, but the past two years have been among the worst.

There were 21 named storms in 2021, which ended as the third-most active hurricane season in terms of named

A mail truck drives through light rain in the Sandbridge section of Virginia Beach as Tropical Storm Arthur moves off the coast in 2020. There were a record 30 named Atlantic storms that year. L. TODD SPENCER/STAFF FILE

storms, according to the National Hurricane Center. Of last year’s storms, seven became hurricanes, with four of those

major — defined as a storm with winds of at least 111 mph.

With 30 named storms, 2020 holds

the record for the most active hurricane season; 2005 is second with 28 named storms.

Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at N.C. State, uses a methodology that evaluates more than 100 years of historical data on hurricane positions and intensity, weather patterns and sea-surface temperatures to predict how many storms will form each year.

Earlier this month, Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather and Climate Research Division released its outlook for the 2022 hurricane season, predicting 19 named storms, with nine hurricanes, four of which will be major. Averages from 1991 through 2020 are 14 named storms with 7.2 hurricanes and 3.2 major hurricanes, the university said.

“As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them,” Colorado researchers said in a news release.

“They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”

15 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

The sea, the sound, and a world of possibilites in between.

Find it all in i

Upcoming May Events!

First Friday May 6th Book signing & party with Hannah Bunn West & Alicia Bessette

Wednesday May 11th Tickets now on sale at Eventbrite!!

Alicia Bessette in conversation with Matthew Quick More more info visit duckscottage.com or call 252-473-1056!

Sunday, May 1, 2022 4 – 6 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers to enjoy a concert, food vendors, and the opening of a celebratory art exhibit.

This is a rain or shine event.

townofduck.com 252.255.1234

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Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

16

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Vickie Shufer Cindy Hamilton spotted approximately 100 white ibis at Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area in Virginia Beach. “White ibis are all white, except for their black wingtips and their red bills and legs,” wrote Hamilton. “The tips of their bills appear to be dark because they were foraging in the mud.”

Benjamin Gerber photographed a bald eagle perched on a pole in Western Branch in Chesapeake.

Laura Joksaite sent some of her favorite photos of ospreys at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. “I had never been so close with ospreys,” wrote Joksaite. “Watching them nesting was a brilliant lesson for me.”

John Butler observed two ospreys at an iconic nest at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.

“One in the nest and the other flying around protecting the nest,” wrote Butler.

C. J. Maziarz photographed a great egret having fish for lunch at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach. During the breeding season, the area between the beak and eyes turns a bright, neon green.

Rick Robillard captured a photo of a snowy egret displaying his breeding plumage and yellow feet while stalking the shallow waters looking for lunch at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach.

Rich Thiesfeld photographed a great blue heron stalking along the water’s edge doing some fishing at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.

Jane Kent sent photos of a great blue heron and a pelican at Cypress Cove Villas in the Churchland area of Portsmouth.

Joe DiGeronimo photographed a young loon having breakfast just

A great egret has fish for lunch at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach. COURTESY OF C. J. MAZIARZ

A flock of white ibis flew over the Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area in Virginia Beach.

COURTESY OF CINDY HAMILTON

offshore at the beach at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Loons are diving birds seen during the migratory season sticking their heads beneath the surface looking for fish.

Reuben Rohn sent a photo of a horned grebe going into breeding plum-

age at Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore. The horned grebe is a fairly small grebe that puffs up its head feathers during the breeding season, making them appear to be large.

Edward Obermeyer has two pileated woodpeckers nesting in a dead

tree in his backyard in the Castleton neighborhood in Virginia Beach.

Joseph Robbins photographed pileated woodpeckers at Lake Lawson/ Lake Smith Natural Area in Virginia Beach.

Turn to Encounters, Page 18

A snowy egret displays his breeding plumage and yellow feet at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach. COURTESY OF RICK ROBILLARD

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Encounters from Page 16

A great blue heron stalks the water’s edge looking for fish at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. COURTESY OF RICH THIESFELD

Jane Hughey photographed a downy woodpecker “waiting for his turn at the suet feeder” in the Indian River area of Chesapeake.

Bob and Kathy Marchant sent photos of a dove with her hatchling in the Burnetts Mill neighborhood in Suffolk. “Both parents have been taking turns sitting on the nest for the past several weeks,” wrote Bob Marchant. “The bird hatched out yesterday. The nest is an artificial tree on our front porch.”

Stacey Enesey Klemenc sent a photo of a stunning male bluebird that has been hanging around with his mate in South Shore Estates in Virginia Beach.

Connie Owen was excited to see yellowrumped warblers in breeding plumage, “dressed for wooing a female. It was starting to rain but they were full of energy,” wrote Owen. “Dashing

about with no care for the weather.”

Laura Mae photographed a handsome eastern towhee in Norfolk. “He was singing and singing his ‘drink-your-teeeeea’ song!” wrote Mae. Towhees forage on the ground among leaf litter.

Jane Hughey sent photos of brown-headed nuthatches taking care of their babies in the Indian River area of Chesapeake.

Benjamin Gerber photographed cedar waxwings in his yard in the Western Branch neighborhood of Chesapeake.

Vickie Shufer, wildfood@cox.net To submit items, email no more than two photos and/or nature sightings each week for possible publication in Close Encounters. Don’t forget your full name and neighborhood. Email photos as .jpg attachments to wildfood@cox.net. If you have injured wildlife, call Tidewater Wildlife Rescue, 255-8710.

Wildlife Response can be reached at 543-7000.

A towhee sings its ‘drink-your-tea’ song in a Norfolk neighborhood. COURTESY OF LAURA MAE

A horned grebe makes an appearance at Cape Charles Beach on the Eastern Shore. COURTESY OF REUBEN JOHN

A loon looks for breakfast offshore at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. COURTESY OF JOE DIGERONIMO

A pileated woodpecker searches for insects on the trunk of a tree in a backyard in Castleton in Virginia Beach. COURTESY OF EDWARD OBERMEYER

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Find Your Way to Corolla, NC. With spring underway, many visitors are planning to take a day, hit the road and roll up to Corolla. It is good to know that the legendary Corolla Wild Horses, as well as iconic historical sites like the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Whalehead and the new Currituck Maritime Museum await you and yours, in Corolla.

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23 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, May 6, 2022

The Bodie Island Lighthouse south of Nags Head reopens for climbing on April 27. L. TODD SPENCER/STAFF FILE

Ready for a few steps into history?

Lighthouse climbing season returning on the Outer Banks

By Kari Pugh Editor

The Bodie Island Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks reopens for climbing April 27 while the Cape Hatteras beacon — closed since 2019 — may also offer some limited tours this summer.

Climbs at the 165-foot Bodie lighthouse south of Nags Head will continue through early fall, with events in the works this summer to celebrate the historic structure’s 150th year, the National Park Service said.

The Bodie light, as it’s known locally, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the third lighthouse built near

Oregon Inlet. The first was torn down due to structural issues and the second was destroyed during the Civil War. First lit on Oct. 1, 1872, the remaining lighthouse still uses its original Fresnel lens, named after the French physicist who designed it.

The lighthouse will be open for climbs Wednesdays through Saturdays with tickets on sale each day at 7 a.m. They may only be purchased the same day of your intended climb.

At the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, a major restoration project continues, but the National Park Service said a break between phases of work may allow for a limited climbing season. The park service expects to make an announcement in the next couple months.

The 198-foot structure’s interior was stripped of paint last year, keeping the lighthouse closed for climbing during Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s busiest tourist season since 2002. It was closed in 2020

The Bodie Island Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

L. TODD SPENCER

due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Park officials are focusing on restoring some of the historic, character-defining features of the lighthouse, including the lens that supplied the beacon’s beam

from 1870-1936. The lens, also a Fresnel, now greets visitors to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum nearby.

The grounds will be a large part of the renovation, with the park service planning to restore some of the landscape and native grasses that were around the lighthouse before it was moved from the beach in 1999.

The lighthouse, designed and constructed between 1868 and 1870, is the tallest light tower in the United States.

About 500,000 people visit the beacon each year and about 1,500 people climb the lighthouse daily between April and October, the park service said.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla opened for climbing in March and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last brick and mortar lighthouse built in North Carolina in 1875, the 162-foot lighthouse is maintained by the Outer Banks Conservationists and the state.

Friday, May 6, 2022 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast

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