My 12 Favorite Photographs from 2011

January 2011

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The year started off with a rare significant snowfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This snowfall was mainly south of Oregon Inlet, which made it all the more rare. The day before, I was glued to the weather updates as I was eager to photograph the famed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse under a blanket of fresh snow. I departed home about 3 am and arrived in Buxton shortly before sunrise. The sunrise did not disappoint, as it revealed about a foot of snow! A pretty big deal here in Coastal North Carolina! I titled this shot “Snow Day” and chose it because it captures the feel of the day. The dunes covered in over a foot of drifting snow from legendary winds of the Outer Banks, and the lighthouse standing tall guarding the cape as she has since 1870.

February 2011

Commercial Fishing Boat Off Hatteras Island, NC

“Under a Full Moon”  - I caught this scene on a cold February afternoon, just by chance. I was out shooting, as I often do the night of the full moon. I walked over the dunes and caught this fishing boat sailing under the full moon that had emerged from the clouds just offshore. If you look closely you can see the last few rays of the day illuminating the boat. Lovely scene that I felt captures what life on the coast is for so many people.

March 2011

Super Moon of March 2011 rising over Hatteras Island, NC

“Carolina Moon” – Photographed this scene on Hatteras Island, NC the night of the super moon in March. I was actually running a bit behind and missed the opportunity to photograph the moon closer to the horizon, but got setup in the dunes and captured the moon rising. All in all everything turned out great and I captured a scene that captures the natural beauty of Coastal North Carolina.

April 2011

Stormy Skies Over Kitty Hawk Pier - Kitty Hawk, NC

“Here Comes the Storm” – April 2011 was a very stormy month here in North Carolina. Several severe days during the month resulted in fatalities from rare EF3 tornadoes in some of inland counties. This scene was captured at Kitty Hawk Pier just before a strong thunderstorm moved over Kitty Hawk. The end of Kitty Hawk Pier was lost during Hurricane Isabel back in 2003. Isabel was the last hurricane to strike the area before Irene in August of 2011. A little more about Irene in the months to come.

May 2011

Jennette's Pier the morning of its dedication

“Dedication Day” – The beautiful new Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC. This photo was taken at sunrise the morning of the dedication. For those not familiar with the Outer Banks, the original pier was destroyed back in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel. The new pier is a 1000 foot concrete pier, which is operated by the North Carolina Aquarium Society as an educational outpost for the Aquarium.

June 2011

Lightning Strikes in South Mills, NC

“Stormy Night” – Storms have long been a fascination of mine. Anytime a storm is near I am usually out, camera in hand trying to get a photograph. Same was true on this June evening, taken just outside my home in South Mills, NC.

July 2011

Sailboat leaving Bath North Carolina

“Into the Night” – a sailboat leaving the port town of Bath, North Carolina. Bath is North Carolina’s oldest town, and has a rich history which even includes Blackbeard the pirate who was a frequent visitor during the town’s early years. Bath is one of my favorite places in Eastern North Carolina and I recommend you take the time to visit if you are ever in the area.

August 2011

Sunset the Night Hurricane Irene made landfall in NC

“A Storms a Brewin” – Sunset at my home in South Mills, NC the night Hurricane Irene made landfall in North Carolina. Shortly after this photograph the winds and rain from Irene overtook our area. Hurricane Irene was without a doubt the event of the year in Coastal North Carolina. The effects are still being felt by many.

September 2011

Double Rainbow over Camden County, North Carolina

“Over the Rainbow” – Little did I know that the run of the mill thunderstorm I left home to chase would produce the best rainbow I have ever seen. This rainbow seemed so close that it felt as if you could reach out and touch it…so glad I remembered my wide angle lens! The best thing though was my daughter decided to tag along and we stood out and experienced this magnificent scene together! Truly a moment I will never forget!

October 2011

Bridge over Pea Island Inlet created by Hurricane Irene

“Mother Nature’s Power” – Hurricane Irene breached NC 12 in several locations, cutting Hatteras Island residents off to the outside world for about 6 weeks. NCDOT filled in the smaller breaches but had to construct a temporary bridge over the largest of the breaches. This new breach is now Pea Island Inlet and documents the true power of mother nature. I had walked this section of beach only a few weeks prior to the storm, and when I returned after the road reopened could not believe a new inlet was where I walked only a few short weeks before. As I said before, Hurricane Irene was the event of 2011 here in Coastal North Carolina. The above scene documents why I say that.

November 2011

Historic Hertford, North Carolina Waterfront

“Pre-Dawn on the Perquimans” – Fall is my favorite time of year. Every year there is a two to three week period, where the longer nights begin to cool off the water. During this time many coastal communities experience fog which in return creates the moody scenes like the one photographed above. This scene was taken on the Perquimans River in Historic Hertford, North Carolina.

December 2011

Herbert C. Bonner Bridge spanning Oregon Inlet, NC

“As Night Descends” – December was a tough month to choose. I have taken several holiday scenes that I like a lot, but when I reviewed the images this was my favorite and not just for the month but for the year as well. Very simple scene captured just a couple of weeks ago. The light was beautiful on this particular evening, and daylight seemed to linger in the cold, dry December air forever. What a way to end a great year! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! See you in 2012!