We arrived for the first day of our Outer Banks adventure (known to many Americans by the abbreviation OBX) early in the morning so we went straight for breakfast. Knowing it was likely to be very busy with beachgoers and the general tourist population, we’d pretty much written our first day off as just get settled, do some of the touristy things followed by an early night and an even earlier morning…
I love landscape photography….but i also love my bed and don’t always appreciate the early morning alarm going off….
Once i am up though, i really do like the peace and solitude of being on a mountain or a beach with no one else…..or almost no one else….MrsFaceless excepted, of course.
We’d been to the Outer Banks a number of times but never shot Jenette’s pier as it was always busy…so we figured this time we should try harder…..checking the apps on the phone we felt there was a good chance of some early morning cloud. We use a couple of different apps – ClearOutside used to be awesome until the data source was purchased, so now we use a mix of Astropheric, Windy and The Photographer’s Companion…as well as the Mark1 eyeball…and also speak to the locals if possible…they often know what the weather will be like way better than the weatherman.
There were a few early morning dog walkers as we made it to our spot about 5.30 am ready for sunrise just before six. As it turns out, the weather report was wrong…whoodathunk eh? Sadly not many of the promised clouds in the sky and those that were there were right on the horizon. Regardless, i set us as MrsFaceless took a wander looking for something different. Anyway, first photo in the bag…nothing special i feel, just a nice pic…..shame i didn’t get a sunstar but there was cloud right on the horizon which caused a problem – that’s my story and i’m sticking to it!
It was about 7.30 am…people were starting to turn up at the beach so it was time to go to a quieter spot.
The Nags Head Woods Preserve is worth a visit for those that want a break from the beach – just be aware of the likelihood of a ton of bugs, mozzies and general bitey things flying around…so plan accordingly. There are a number of hiking trails, none too strenuous. MrsFaceless had never been to this location before so was totally distracted by all the information boards and leaflets. The buildings were not open yet else i fear i would have lost her for an hour or two!
This place is green. Like, very green….not just trees and plants, but the water has thick green algae too. As the sun started to poke through gaps in the canopy and foliage behind us hot spots were appearing – once more indicating it was time to wrap up and go to another spot. In this case, we went for a hike down one of the trails to a small beach to see an array of dead trees and stumps in the water which are fun to photograph. The hikes are not long and the ones we have been on have seating in places, not just to rest, more to take in the surroundings.
The sun was now high in the sky and that’s not generally considered optimal for landscape photography, but, as the phrase goes – f8 and be there; being outside, with the peace and quiet was lovely. So why not take pictures? It’s always somewhere to go back to….if you have that opportunity.
This place was like our own private little beach – the sounds of birds and insects, the whoosh of the wave motion lapping up on the beach, blue sky, sand and a light breeze. I sat down, had a bar and some nuts washed down with water to replenish my energy levels and i let MrsFaceless mosey around and start photographing the trees and stumps – varying the settings as she went to smooth out the ripples on the water.
After getting a number of shots in the bag we headed back to the car – it was now almost lunchtime and we’d not had breakfast yet after such an early start! The car was parked overlooking one of the ponds by the main buildings and as we reached it we saw a single turtle sunbathing on a tree branch sticking out of the water – so took a quick pic and then put the gear away…….only to trun around and see that the turtle had been joined by another one. That sums up the Outer Banks; you find a nice spot all on your own and before you know it, someone else arrives!!
We hope you have enjoyed our little journey together – the story and the video; if so please head over and leave a comment on youtube – and a like and subscribe is always much appreciated!
Until next time…..