wild watch

Hawks: Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged

2012-01-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hawks from across North Carolina, this Red-tailed Hawk (left) largest of the three birds, was photographed in NoDa - Charlotte, NC. The Red-shouldered Hawk (middle) lives in Durham, NC near Chapel Hill. The Broad-winged Hawk was spotted near the pier at Kure Beach, NC. Hawks are very active in the winter and are much easier to view through the bare trees.

New Hope Creek

2011-09-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

The Protected New Hope Creek in Orange County, North Carolina. if not playing properly, try lowering 480p to 360p or below.

New Garden at Leigh Farm

2011-09-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Breakfast time at Leigh Farm park in Durham, the flower garden recently created has made some friends with the surrounding wildlife.

Penny's Bend Nature Preserve

2011-03-27T12:37:00.001-07:00

I visited Penny's Bend this morning and found some of the rare Dutchman's breeches (left) which are tiny little wildflowers in abundance just down stream from "little hanging rock" and not found very many other places in the piedmont except the Flat river. Very peaceful place to go hiking along to eno river in Durham.

Eagles and Osprey at Jordan Lake

2011-03-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

Eagles and Osprey overlapping at Jordan Lake this morning, So far only observed the osprey actively fishing, as seen on the right with a catch. The young bald eagle has its first set of flight feathers and looks almost nothing like its parents, yet. Parents flying together in early morning, then later perch and fly around the eaglet's test flights.

Barred Owl being chased by Crows

2011-03-09T05:48:00.000-08:00

This morning I ventured back into my local barred owl's favorite spot, and sure enough found 2 of them talking to each other, but their peace would not last long, soon a bunch of crows swooped in and chased the owls around, scalding them, and following them around everywhere they perched. It was kinda sad really but I assume those owls did something to deserve it.

TOP 15 Hiking Spots DURHAM/ORANGE/CHATHAM - NC

2011-02-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

click to view trail head on google maps. enjoy.

1. Eno River State Park Western Division
2. Duke Forest Korstian Division
3. Johnston Mill Nature Preserve (TLC)
4. Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area
5. Jordan Lake State Natural Area - New Hope Creek Section
6. Trails of the NC Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill
7. Eno River State Park Eastern Trails
8. Tobacco Trail south of Scott King Rd
9. Haw River Trail near Saxapahaw, river right, working up stream from sax bridge
10. Leigh Farm Durham City Park
11. Duke Gardens
12. Jordan Lake via 751 bridge (on southwest side of bridge)
13. Tobacco Trail north of I-40 (Durham)
14. Lower Booker Creek Trail (Chapel Hill)
15. Morgan Creek Trail (Chapel Hill, on south bound side of 15-501)

Woodpeckers in Southern Durham

2011-02-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

Woodpeckers photographed around 3rd Fork Creek, New Hope Creek and Leigh Farm Park, I'm not sure but I think, Left to Right: Northern Flicker female (larger) and male (smaller with extra black spot below the eye), Red Headed, Hairy, Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, Red Bellied, and Downy Woodpeckers.

Eno River State Park

2010-08-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

A great place to hike and camp is the eno river state park north of chapel hill, west of durham

Grandfather Mountain Campgrounds - near Pisgah

2010-07-20T02:52:00.000-07:00

This is a nice spot for a variety of folks, especially RVs, but there are also some really nice primitive camping sites up at the very top of the campgrounds, in the trees and back behind the cabins with a nice stream along one side. Then directly behind the sites are hiking trails into Pisgah near the northern border, and Grandfather Mountain. Here is a link to the campgrounds. This was less than 15 minutes drive out of Boone, NC

Photo taken of large stone chimney, no concrete, just stones, along the trail in Pisgah, check out more of my photos from this trip HERE

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

2009-05-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

Another treasure secured by the TLC, Triangle Land Conservancy, is the Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, river-right hiking trail access from Turkey Farm Bridge Road near the New Hope Creek crossing and further up stream off of Mt Sinai Road just beyond the bridge over New Hope Creek. This continues the protective area of New Hope Creek and surrounding forest that borders Korstian Division of Duke Forest. Photo taken May 6, 2008

Water Moccasin along New Hope Creek

2009-04-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to give it to the Waterfowl Impoundment, after only a handful of visits I've had a number of first time encounters, add 2 more to that list from today's hike, first I spotted a Water Moccasin that was sun bathing on the rocks near the paved section, thankfully he decided to just slide into the water, which was nice, as this gave me a chance to observe the characteristic short tale that went from 1" around to the end tip in less than 6". A little further down the trail I came across the largest snapping turtle that I have ever encountered, its shell alone was probably 16" front to back, with a large tale maybe another 7". Sorry no camera on this 90 degree april day hike. Also observed a few smaller painted turtles in the water and a pair of blue herons close-up take offs as well.

Green Snake and Bald Eagle

2009-04-19T19:32:00.001-07:00

a long afternoon of local foot travel brought about a couple good encounters with the wild, first the rough green snake along third fork creek, then at the nhc Waterfowl Impoundment I startled a Bald Eagle to rise up and fly out away from me a bit (pretty far) and perch where I could view him with binoculars and took this lousy digital zoom photo.

Leigh Farm Park

2009-04-18T18:21:00.001-07:00

I made my way out to explore the new Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC this afternoon. This is a wonderful natural treasure with old growth forest, historic cabins and other old time farming structures and another home for the Piedmont Wildlife Center. Go see for yourself, it's located at the end of Leigh Farm Road, right next to I-40 at exit 273.

Waterfowl Impoundment off Hwy 54

2009-04-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

the waterfowl impoundment, entrance point off hwy 54 and New Hope Creek in durham, nc, backs up to the new Leigh Farm park and historic site. located east of I40 take exit 173, head west, parking on left after bridge. hiking and excellent bird watching.

Festival for Wildlife

2009-04-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

here is a Link to the Piedmont Wildlife Center's annual festival at Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC on May 2nd, 2009.

2009-04-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

find more nature and wildlife photography at Lewish.net.

2009-04-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

third fork creek, just north of feeding into new hope creek, southwest durham, nc