A wildfire on Masonboro Island drew the attention of several photographers when they realized that an owl's nest located on nearby Dredge Island in the ICW was in serious jeopardy from the uncontrolled fire. But fortunately, good Samaritans stepped in and as of today, the nest is safe.
Late Thursday, the first reports of a uncontrolled fire on Masonboro Island began to surface. Authorities were notified but determined that since the island was uninhabited, the would just contain the fire to the island and let it eventually burn itself out. But Masonboro is a designated coastal reserve and is home to a variety of wildlife. This led many to wonder what would happen to the island's wildlife as the fire spread.
Earlier today, I saw a facebook post by Mike McGirt were he posted photos of an owl's nest that was in real jeopardy from the advancing fire. Mike had discovered the nest weeks earlier and had been enjoying photographing the baby owls as they grew. It left me wondering what would become of these helpless baby owls.
But a little while later, I was made aware of a facebook post by Lee Parsons. Lee had also been photographing the owls for several weeks and was equally alarmed by their obvious fate. Lee had made several attempts to get help from various government agencies but none of them were willing to intervene. Finally, Lee reached out to the Wilmington Fire Department, Seagate Station 10, and they immediately wanted to help.
They provided Lee with a water canon which he was able to use to blast the fire as it began creeping up the owl's tree. Battalion Chief Tim Smith even rode over with Lee to assist in keeping the fire off the owl's tree. Their extended efforts were successful and as of now, the owl's are safe.
Lee states that the fire personnel from Seagate Station 10 are the true heroes in this story and extends a heartfelt thank you to Battalion Chief Tim Smith, Capt. Joel Gordon, MFF Pete Wallace and PF Russall Dagertt. All four stayed in contact with Lee throughout and kept updating him on the progress of the fire. Lee notes that they were equally concerned about the plight of these baby Owls and wanted to help ensure their safety. Lee ended his FB post by saying "You guys are the best."
So for now, the owls are safe and Lee is going to keep visiting the island to ensure that the area around the owl's tree stays damp so there is less of a chance for any flare up. And although Lee deserves our many thanks, he prefers to discount his actions by stating the following: "this Owl family has given me much pleasure being able to shoot pictures of them for the last 4 weeks, this was my way of returning the favor for what they have given me. Hopefully, these baby's will give us more baby's for us to look at and admire."
But whether he wants it or not, Thank You Lee! And thank you to the WFD-Seagate Station 10 and to Mike for helping bringing attention to the plight of these birds.
Photo credit: Top photo (Mike M.); Three middle photos (Lee P.); Bottom photo - Mike M.(left) and Lee P. (right).
Here's a great video of the 2012 Back to the Beach Car Show held this past weekend at Fort Fisher. The video was posted on youtube by icecastle57 and features many of the classic cars from the event.
Well, it looks like the students from Pi Sigma Epsilon at the University of North Carolina Wilmington have again hit a home run with the wing fling event held at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Reports are that thousands attended the event and that all went off without a hitch.
Last year, the event raised $8,000 for charity and it was divided between the Katie B. Hines Senior Center in Carolina Beach and the Wilmington Residential Adolescent Achievement Place program.
You can check out some photos on WECT's anchor Michelle Li's website . And speaking of WECT, congrats to anchor Jon Evans for winning the wing eating contest! He took down a dozen wings in one minute, three seconds.
WILMINGTON, N.C. — As the spring holiday approaches, affordable destinations that refresh, recharge and renew are popular among folks who are ready for a vacation or a weekend getaway. Surrounded by water, Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach fit the bill with a single destination that offers unlimited vacation choices. Just last summer, Orbitz and Bloomberg BusinessWeek recognized Wilmington as a fun and affordable destination. From the river to the sea there are accommodations in all price ranges, as well as budget-friendly attractions, tours, and restaurants. Great shoulder-season rates plus kid-friendly events add up to a spring coastal getaway that won’t break the bank. To plan your visit, call 1-866-266-9690 or email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com and request a free 2012 official visitors guide. Or visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com where you’ll find seasonal specials, events and experiences.
HERE’S A SAMPLING OF HOLIDAY-THEME EVENTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY:
MARCH 31 & APRIL 6 & 7: ALLIGATOR EGG HUNT. 10am & 1pm. See a live baby alligator and learn about these fascinating animals. Next, create an alligator egg basket and search for candy-filled “alligator eggs.” Recommended for ages 3-10; must be accompanied by an adult. Admission charge for kids and adults. Pre-registration required (by March 28 & April 4). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach; 910-458-7468; www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
APRIL 5: SPRING EGG-VENTURE AT HALYBURTON PARK. 1pm–4pm. Join the ‘eggcitement’ at Halyburton Park. Programs include Animal Eggs & Nests, Egglympics, Storytime, and Spring Nature Hike. Egg hunts for children ages 3-5, 6-7 and 8-10 will take place at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. Space is limited; pre-registration required. Admission charge. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St., Wilmington. 910-341-0075; www.halyburtonpark.com
APRIL 6-7: BUGS & BUTTERFLIES SPRING EVENT. 9am-12noon. Bug egg hunt, face-painting, bee and butterfly balloon animals, spring outdoor games, flower-planting, and egg-citing art activities. Museum admission charge includes event. Children’s Museum of Wilmington; www.playwilmington.org
APRIL 6: EASTER EGG HUNT & CARNIVAL AT BATTLESHIP PARK. 10am-2pm. Kids ages 2-9 are invited to join Buddy the Battleship Bunny for continuous egg hunts, games, inflatable bounce house, pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Admission charge; pre-registration required. Battleship Park, Wilmington; 910-251-5797; www.battleshipnc.com
APRIL 6-9: EASTER ‘BUNNY’- DRAWN CARRIAGE TOURS. 10am-10pm, weather permitting. Experience the beauty of spring in historic Wilmington via a ‘Bunny’ horse-drawn carriage or trolley. Treats for kids. Admission charge. Market & Water sts., Downtown Wilmington; 910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com
APRIL 8: MASONBORO ISLAND EASTER EGG HUNT. 11am; 2pm & 4:30pm. Cruise to Masonboro Island, one of the largest marine sanctuary islands in Southeast NC, and experience a unique Easter boat trip & egg hunt. Adults must accompany children. Admission charge; advance reservations. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours departs across from Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach. 910-200-4002; www.capefearnaturalist.com
Navigate toward what’s important to you. Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are a convenient drive along major highways, including I-40 and U.S. 74, both with easy access from I-95. For seasonal specials and experiences, or to download an official visitors guide or a complete event calendar, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com. For last-minute hotel discounts, visit www.sunnysavers.com.
Goodbye Trolly Stop and hello Island Hots. If you have a hankering for a fantastic hot dog made the way you want it, check out Island Hots on Cape Fear Blvd at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. For more photos from their 03/22/12 ribbon cutting, check out this album posted by Southern Digital Art. Below is the menu from the Island Hots Facebook page (hours/days of operation also on the page)
Who doesn't love seeing dolphins? Well in this case, the little girl is ready to move on and get to the beach. lol This cute video was posted on youtube by joannesmoot.
...The modest, rectangular building where Cole plans to open his restaurant, Hurricane Alley, on May 1 is at the south end of the Boardwalk, close to the Courtyard Marriott in an area with low elevation and limited views...
He said he plans to begin constructing the deck on the future Hurricane Alley restaurant next week. Cole, who also owns The Dive restaurant and bar in Carolina Beach, said the new restaurant will serve sandwiches and steamed seafood.
Interesting article about seals arriving in North Carolina:
Field Trip Earth by Jackie Orsulak
So far in 2012 there has not been very much critter action on the beaches of the Outer Banks, North Carolina...
In early January 2012, a small harbor seal hauled out on the beach in the four-wheel drive area of Currituck County. He was fat, healthy and happy and went back to sea after a short rest. We saw our second seal of the season in early March 2012. In this case, the small harp seal hauled out on the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina...
Read the full story here and learn how authorities respond to seal sightings on NC beaches. Photo from article
Who ever thought that hula hoop was an art form? Check out this video posted on youtube by kennypowers88 featuring Katie Shucavage showing her art from the Carolina beaches to downtown Wilmington.
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A brand new IHOP Family Restaurant will open in Wilmington (Monkey Junction) on Monday, March 19...
“This new IHOP restaurant is a flagship restaurant for us,” stated Jimmy Free, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, in a statement. “Everything from the interior design to the extensive new menu represents the new, upscale, family-oriented direction for IHOP Family Restaurants...”
Read the full article here. Photo from WECT/IHOP Family Restaurant
Check out this amazing video from Reuters. The video was taken by a rescue helicopter off the coast of Australia and shows a school of sharks in a feeding frenzy.
Wilmington Star News By Patrick Gannon March 15, 2012
Maybe it's the azaleas or the historic downtown or the nearby beaches or the lively nightlife or the film industry...
Whatever the reasons, Wilmington is the most popular city in the state among North Carolina voters, according to a new Public Policy Polling poll...
Both Wilmington and Raleigh had 67 percent favorability ratings, but according to the pollsters, the Port City "gets top honors" because only 4 percent of voters have a negative opinion of it, compared to 11 percent with a dim view of the capital city...
The following video segment is from the Weather Channel's new show "Lifeguard" and features Dr. Peter Klimley from U.C. Davis discussing shark behavior with a focus on their diet and some of the factors that lead to shark attacks on humans.
March 14, 2012 By Patrick Gannon Wilmington Star News
Businesses, tourist attractions and residents on both sides of the Cape Fear River worry that an increase in tolls on the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry will hurt bottom lines, attendance numbers and family budgets...
When the new prices take effect, Southport-Fort Fisher ferry riders – car and driver – will pay $10 each way, up from $5. Plus, each additional passenger in vehicles will pay $2 each way. Passengers currently don't pay extra. Motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians also will pay more... Read the full article here.
This was one of my favorite stories from 2011. I meant to post it at the first of the year but it got lost in the shuffle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our State North Carolina By Jason Frye
As the sun crawls above the horizon, Harold “Pops” Peterson stands on the deck of a ferry counting cars. He directs them to their numbered lanes on the boat with a smile and a friendly wave. It’s a 35-minute trip across the Cape Fear River on the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry, and Peterson will make the trip a dozen times today during his 12-hour shift. It is the sixth day of a seven-day workweek on the ferry, and Peterson, the 94-year-old dynamo, hasn’t slowed down. Not at this job, not at any job, not at life...
Read the full story here. Photo from a WECT story on Mr. Peterson.
In March 2012, the NC Department of Cultural Resources' Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) in conjunction with Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the Friends of Fort Fisher hosted students from East Carolina University's Maritime History Program and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as they "rediscover" artifacts from the Blockade Runner Modern Greece.
Eleven graduate students from ECU and four student interns from UNCW completed the job begun in 2011 to empty the two remaining outdoor tanks and recorded, catalogued, photographed, and determined the future conservation of this treasure trove of Civil War era objects. Students "rediscovered" British Enfield Rifles, Bowie knives, leg irons, bayonets and other war materials, but they also found household and farm items such as files, chisels, scissors, knives, forks, spoons, hoe heads, picks and much more. The new storage containers located inside the UAB conservation facility are ready for the influx of new "treasures."
CAROLINA BEACH, NC, March 10, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Visit Carolina Beach this spring and experience an original boardwalk, fascinating festivals and colorful characters that make this North Carolina getaway destination truly one-of-a-kind. Carolina Beach provides pleasure for people seeking the original beach experience from the past with a family-fun spin for today at this spring coastal getaway.
Families, couples and more can stay on a budget with Carolina Beach's travel packages and special spring rates. Many hotels, motels and inns offer March and April rates with prices below $110 a night. Visitors can choose from a blast-from-the-past beach cottage, full-service hotel and more (http://bit.ly/xcOoG0). Once you book that special place to stay, check out some of the places to go and sights to see along the Carolina coast's most unique beach.
Spring In The Outdoors Carolina Beach State Park (http://bit.ly/qrP77f) is the location of choice for strolling under towering trees, fishing from a full-service marina and hiking to see a variety of beautiful flora and fauna as well as fascinating species of birds and plants in their natural habitats. Venus flytraps, the official state carnivorous plant of North Carolina, are truly unique at the park and provide visitors with an opportunity to view one of the original offerings of Carolina Beach. Plenty of educational and other special events occur at the park every month, and six miles of trails offer many ways to observe the diversity of life in the park. The weather is getting warmer, so walks along the beach and kayak adventures are the perfect way to view spring wildlife and beautiful beach vistas.
If your inner adventurer is looking for more unique outdoor opportunities, venture to Freeman Park (http://bit.ly/qrP77f) to fish, swim, go boating, crabbing or casting for minnows amid lots of wildlife, dunes and majestic sea grasses indigenous to the region. A permit is required, and season, weekend and daily passes are available through the Town of Carolina Beach and other locations (http://bit.ly/jKDdqW).
Good Times And Events For The Entire Family Feel like having a relaxed Spring Break with carefree locals in an atmosphere you might find at Key West, Fla., without having to drive that far? The Fat Pelican at 8 S. Lake Blvd. (http://www.thefatpelican.com) provides a chance to let your hair down as well as a large walk-in cooler. There are plenty of other nightlife venues as well as restaurants to tempt your palate, including Asian, Caribbean, Greek, Italian, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, and seafood (http://bit.ly/pRj9nN). Of course, no visit to Carolina Beach could be truly original without a local signature dish, seafood chowder. On Saturday, April 14 visitors can take part in the 16th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off, sampling from local restaurants and groups, as well as entertain the kids with music, face painting and balloon art. More fun for all ages can be found at the boardwalk, Carolina Beach Jungle Mini Golf & Batting Cages, boating excursions, several lakes and parks, and much more (http://bit.ly/nyFQ0I).
If you want a little culture along with your chowder, make sure to check out Artful Living Group at 112 Cape Fear Blvd. (http://bit.ly/jKDdqW). Located in the heart of Carolina Beach's central business district, this is an interesting, creative studio and shop that includes the work of more than 90 artisans for viewing and purchase. Squigley's Gift Gallery at 208 S. Lake Park Blvd. has unique handmade painted art/crafts and home decor gifts in all media, while Primrose Cottage at 1018 N. boasts a strong assortment of consignment, antiques, furniture, previously enjoyed collectibles, beach and nautical gifts, children's clothes, and home and yard decor. More art galleries, shopping complexes and specialty boutiques covering books to clothes are easily within reach as well (http://bit.ly/nyFQ0I).
With all of the getaway options available to spring vacationers, it is easy to see why visitors love this town with a laid-back coastal vibe. There are many getaway destinations in North Carolina, but there is only one Carolina Beach.
ABOUT CAROLINA BEACH, N.C.: Carolina Beach is an original and unique North Carolina beach. This recently renovated seaside town offers family-friendly fun all year long where visitors can experience a classic boardwalk, interesting festivals and colorful characters. For more information, visit http://www.visitcarolinabeachnc.com or call (800) 641-7082.
Here's a cool video of a humpback whale feeding off Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, NC. The video was posted on Youtube by obx19 and was taken on February 25, 2012.
Here's a wonderful 3 minute video posted by visitcarolinabeachnc on Youtube. The video does a great job of highlighting what makes Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher) such a special place to so many. Enjoy!!
A wildfire on Masonboro Island drew the attention of several photographers when they realized that an owl's nest located on nearby Dredge Island in the ICW was in serious jeopardy from the uncontrolled fire. But fortunately, good Samaritans stepped in and as of today, the nest is safe.
Late Thursday, the first reports of a uncontrolled fire on Masonboro Island began to surface. Authorities were notified but determined that since the island was uninhabited, the would just contain the fire to the island and let it eventually burn itself out. But Masonboro is a designated coastal reserve and is home to a variety of wildlife. This led many to wonder what would happen to the island's wildlife as the fire spread.
But a little while later, I was made aware of a facebook post by Lee Parsons. Lee had also been photographing the owls for several weeks and was equally alarmed by their obvious fate. Lee had made several attempts to get help from various government agencies but none of them were willing to intervene. Finally, Lee reached out to the Wilmington Fire Department, Seagate Station 10, and they immediately wanted to help.
They provided Lee with a water canon which he was able to use to blast the fire as it began creeping up the owl's tree. Battalion Chief Tim Smith even rode over with Lee to assist in keeping the fire off the owl's tree. Their extended efforts were successful and as of now, the owl's are safe.
But whether he wants it or not, Thank You Lee! And thank you to the WFD-Seagate Station 10 and to Mike for helping bringing attention to the plight of these birds.
