Do Walk Right In....... Today was Lighthouse Day!

Today was a wonderful day, with a 30 know wind, dry air and reasonable  temperatures.  Marji and I went looking for lighthouses.  This is Brodie Lighthouse  south of Roanoke Island.  The lighthouse keepers would live in modest homes that had hand pumps for water and coal stoves for heat.  The keeper would make sure the lighthouse beacon was working to warn the shipping passing by of the dangerous shoal that kept shifting with the water currents.  The land is somewhat flat and low.  Sand dunes did rise  above the homes, giving a different look to the marshy area.  
    The first extra is some of the wild flowers that grow in the brackish sound waters.  This flower had a black beetle flying from flower to flower.  The second extra is a red dragon fly that was very happy to stay put in the strong winds!
The 3rd extra is Hateras Lighthouse.  This was the most dangerous point along the outer banks.  Over the years, several hundred ships have floundered and sunk here.  We weren't able to see any of the wrecks, mostly because it was high tide and they were under water.
     The original Hateras Lighthouse had to be rebuilt at the current location. The old one was built on top of a sand dune.  The wind, storms, and water erosion had weakened the foundation to the point it began to crack.  The lighthouse keepers refused to go in the light and keep it working because it was unsafe.  A new one was built.
   The old, cracked foundation was moved to the new lighthouse, with all of the lighthouse keepers names inscribed on each foundation stone.  Every man that ever manned the lighthouse is honored here.
    The last extra is of a bird, in the marsh.  We watched it hunt for a fish and  swallow it..... hence the very crooked shape of it's neck.   Bottoms up for dinner!