Salt Marsh

Beyond the salt marsh lies the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean, dunes, salt marsh into maritime forest. This tiny sliver of land houses so much wildlife. Hawks and wading birds, fiddler crabs and songbirds as well as the occasional curious human being. Heaven.

Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”  (Melanie Beattie)

I am forever grateful, thankful for my family and friends each of who contribute to my life in their own unique and wonderful way.  Embrace this holiday, and every day, with gratitude.

Autumn Grass

I cherish the golden days of autumn. Cooler days, cold nights, light changing and shifting, lowering, illuminating the dying grasses which in turn glow like candles. How can one not love golden grasses? These rise above the salt marsh that lines the southern most Cape Fear River.

Salt Marsh

Just beyond the dunes you see above lie the Atlantic Ocean.  On the other side of me not a mile away is the Cape Fear River.  I am standing on a narrow patch of salt marsh lined with maritime forest.  A boardwalk path winds its way through sand and marsh ending at a bird and nature observation deck.  From here I can see ibis, herons and egrets.  I hear rails and woodcocks but never see them.  Hawks and eagles glide high overhead while ducks feed in the shallows.  The only noise is the wind.  This is a sacred place.

Fort Fisher Ferry

The ferry arrives to take us to Southport, North Carolina, south along the Cape Fear River. The salt marsh has turned a luscious golden color and the grasses are amazing!