A Family Vacation Filled with Wonder
We spent a lovely week with Conor's family on our very first family vacation together. Our days were filled with laughter, playing with the little ones, cooking meals together, and enjoying the beauty of the North Carolina coast.
But before anyone else was awake, I was already outside at sunrise with my camera in hand, eager to discover what God had waiting for me in Emerald Isle.
There is something sacred about being outside when the world is still quiet. The soft light, the sound of the waves, and the excitement of not knowing what wildlife I might encounter always remind me that God's creation is full of surprises.
Photographing Wildlife at Sunrise
My first subjects were sanderlings, those adorable little shorebirds that run back and forth with the tide. They never seem to stop moving. One moment they're chasing each other across the shoreline, and the next they're racing away from an incoming wave.
Every morning, I wore my HECS camouflage clothing because I wanted to get as close as possible to the wildlife of North Carolina. Wildlife photography has taught me that slowing down is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. When we do, we begin to notice things we would otherwise miss.
And that is exactly what happened.
The Tiny Creatures Hidden in the Sand
As I sat quietly near the water one morning, I noticed movement in the sand. To my surprise, Atlantic ghost crabs were everywhere.
The things you notice when you slow down and appreciate God's creation.
Ghost crabs quickly became one of my favorite subjects of the trip. They may also be the strangest wildlife I have ever photographed. These tiny creatures are considered the Formula 1 racers of the beach, capable of sprinting sideways across the sand at speeds of up to 10 miles per hour.
Even more impressive, they have nearly 360-degree vision. When you're small and living among predators, speed and awareness are excellent survival tools.
Watching them reminded me that God designed every creature with purpose—even the tiniest ones hiding beneath our feet.
A Christmas Miracle: Photographing a Ghost Crab Fight
Then came what felt like a Christmas miracle.
I witnessed—and photographed—a ghost crab fight.
The moment I realized what was happening, I was beyond excited. Wildlife photographers spend countless hours waiting and observing for moments like these. Seeing God's creatures interact with one another is one of my favorite parts of wildlife photography.
Our guess is that the crab with its back toward us won the battle because the other crab eventually backed away.
Afterward, I simply thanked God for allowing me to witness something so unexpected and beautiful.
Cormorants, Least Terns, and God's Amazing Design
Another morning, I visited the marina and found a cormorant standing with its wings stretched wide. Cormorants spread their wings after diving to dry their feathers and regulate their body temperature. Unlike ducks or geese, their feathers aren't completely waterproof, which actually helps them dive deeper underwater to catch fish.
Later in the week, we visited the NC Wildlife Public Boat Ramp with our 15-year-old nephew, Noah. There, we watched another sleepy cormorant slowly wake up before its first dive of the day. Sharing wildlife moments with family always makes them more meaningful.
At the end of the dock, we discovered a group of least terns putting on quite a show.
Watching their courtship ritual was fascinating. The males caught tiny fish and gently offered them to the females, passing them from bill to bill. Sometimes it took several fish before winning her attention. Then came a beautiful dance before they mated, only to begin the process all over again.
Their determination made me smile. God's creation is wonderfully creative.
Opportunistic Birds of Emerald Isle
Later that same day, we visited Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. While Noah and Conor enjoyed fishing, I found myself completely fascinated by the boat-tailed grackles.
These birds never miss an opportunity for a meal. They're resourceful and far from picky eaters. They'll happily steal shrimp from distracted fishermen or search for French fries left behind near the trash cans.
Every species has its own personality, and that's one of the reasons I love wildlife photography so much.
What Emerald Isle Taught Me
This trip reminded me that God's creation isn't only found in grand landscapes or iconic wildlife. Sometimes it's found in a tiny ghost crab hiding in the sand or a sleepy bird waiting for its first dive of the day.
When we slow down enough to pay attention, we discover that creation is constantly inviting us to look closer.
Emerald Isle gave me beautiful wildlife encounters, precious family memories, and quiet mornings with God by the ocean. For that, I am incredibly grateful.
We spent the week enjoying ocean views, peaceful walks on the beach, and sharing meals with the people we love. It was a vacation I will never forget.
Continue the Adventure
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