a balmy day

In the fall after the summer people leave the beach the birds take their turn at being lifeguards.

The old ferris wheel at Jubilee Park shortly before it was sold and dismantled. The birds used it for clear views of the skies.

An old boat is parked on the marsh by the sound. This is Seabreeze, which was, at one time, one of the only beaches for black people. To this day, they are still very proud of their heritage.

She soars with the wind

One of "my" feral cats sits on the steps of an abandoned mobile home on the oceanfront. Many stray babies made it their home before it was demolished to make way for condos. Every day these cats run to meet me when when I feed them but four years later, most are still untouchable.

She lives on the oceanfront and takes shelter wherever she can find it.

Even the tiny straybabies come out to eat - I was able to capture and tame two of them! We're through with babies with this colony --- everyone has been trapped/altered/released! Praise the Lord!

A gray day before a tropical storm hit the island. Note the two pelicans at rest on the posts.

Hours before Hurricane Ophelia came ashore

The ferry travels between Fort Fisher Ferry and Southport many times each day

What more can I say?

Remants of the old bridge which once connected the island to the mainland. It was demolished and replaced many years ago.

of the old bridge.

The Ocean Plaza was a hot nightspot for decades at Carolina Beach. It was demolished in 2006 to make way for "progress." Over one year later the property still sits empty.

The burial site of the Hermit of Fort Fisher. His marker reads: "He made people think." His grave has become a shrine of sorts for those who met the Hermit and many travel down a long path to place seashells on his grave.

Price's Creek Lighthouse sits on private property, not accessible to the public. During the Civil War the lighthouse served as a Confederate signal station, aiding blockade runners in navigating the river and being identified to the shore batteries. The light was destroyed by the Confederates as they lost control of the Cape Fear River. It can only be seen by ferry or boat as you're entering Southport from Ft. Fisher or vice versa.

This is the old abandoned WWII bunker where Robert Harrill (Hermit of Fort Fisher) spent the last 17 years years of his life. It was also inside this bunker that the old hermit died of mysterious causes during the summer of 1972. Most people say foul play was involved and his death was covered up.

Remember the tiny feral kitten in the picture above? Here she is three years later relaxing on the sofa ...

For almost four years now, this homeless cat has met me by the beach every day at 5:30 for his daily meal, or rather, a kitty buffet. I'd bring him home with me but it wouldn't be fair -- he has an old, old buddy he has shared his life with and that cat is still totally unsociable.

She mostly stays in my yard but I can't touch her either!

Early morning

sends the treasures of the sea to shore

Relaxing on the sofa. I know --- crazy name. It's hard to imagine that this fat, lazy cat was once a homeless feral. Wish we could save them all...

A homeless cat that lives with one of "my" feral cat colonies ... wish I could find this boy a home ...