Opinion

TOM EARNHARDT: North Carolina's beauty triumphs amid COVID-19

Saturday, April 4, 2020 -- During the next few weeks and months while many of us are "hunkered down," it is important to remember that the world around us is still beautiful, ever changing, and very much alive. Across North Carolina new wildflowers will pop up every week, different birds arrive and depart each month. Beaches, rivers and forests can provide sanctuary and respite in these difficult times.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Tom Earnhardt has been described as the “steward of North Carolina outdoors.” A lawyer, he pioneered environmental law in the state. He is an avid naturalist and was coproducer of more than 80 episodes of the natural science television series “Exploring North Carolina.” His observations and photos will be a regular Saturday feature for the coming weeks.

During the next few weeks and months while many of us are “hunkered down,” it is important to remember that the world around us is still beautiful, ever changing, and very much alive.

Across North Carolina new wildflowers will pop up every week, different birds arrive and depart each month. Beaches, rivers and forests can provide sanctuary and respite in these difficult times.

While we are unable to travel freely, isolated from friends and the natural world, I’ll try to send pictures of North Carolina each week—from Bald Head Island to Cape Lookout, Southport to Currituck, Umstead Park to Pilot Mountain, and from Linville Gorge and Panthertown Valley to the high peaks of Mitchell, Grandfather and Roan.

The first images below are a cornucopia of North Carolina plants, critters and places in springtime.

Going forward, I will try to pick images in tune with “Nature’s Calendar” across our state. Have any special requests —eagles, warblers, alligators, bears, fish, butterflies, orchids, mushrooms, cypress swamps, favorite rivers, etc.— let us know by sending a note here.

I’ll be using images from all 100 counties over the past decade, and there are thousands from which to choose. This will be an informal summary of natural events in our state.

We will get through the coming days together, and a beautiful world will be waiting for us. Feel free to share these images with anyone.

Stay safe and be well!

Our “birds of winter”—ducks, swans, and snow geese—will depart coastal wetlands in early/mid March and fly to the far North. There is no more beautiful place from December through March than Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Northern shovelers (ducks) and tundra swans on Pungo Lake.

Northern shovelers (ducks) and tundra swans on Pungo Lake.

A cloud of snow geese at sunset.

Cloud of snow geese at sunset.

New birds from the tropics will take the place of large migratory waterfowl, arriving from late March thru May. Prothonotary warblers.
Painted buntings will soon fill coastal forests with ancient songs.

New birds from the tropics will take the place of large migratory waterfowl, arriving from late March thru May. Prothonotary warblers (Photo 1) and painted buntings (photo 2) will soon fill coastal forests with ancient songs.

Look closely and “American chameleons,” the green anole, will appear with the first flushes of green.

Look closely and “American chameleons,” the green anole, will appear with the first flushes of green.

Salamanders of every shape and color (over 60 species!) will be active in Tar Heel creeks, ponds, and under damp leaves.

Salamanders of every shape and color (over 60 species!) will be active in Tar Heel creeks, ponds, and under damp leaves.

In mountain cove forests, North Carolina’s native orchids will begin appearing in late April.

In mountain cove forests, North Carolina’s native orchids will begin appearing in late April.

In longleaf pine savannas, like our fantastic Green Swamp near Southport, yellow pitcher plants will soon fill spaces between the longleaf.

In longleaf pine savannas, like our fantastic Green Swamp near Southport, yellow pitcher plants will soon fill spaces between the longleaf.

One of our large native lilies—the atamasco lily or rain lily—can be found in April and May across much of Piedmont and eastern North Carolina.

One of our large native lilies—the atamasco lily or rain lily—can be found in April and May across much of Piedmont and eastern North Carolina.

The Black River, home to living bald cypress over 2000 years old, will come alive in mid April.

The Black River, home to living bald cypress over 2000 years old, will come alive in mid April.

Followed by the greening of Linville Gorge in early May.

Followed by the greening of Linville Gorge in early May.

For much of North Carolina, 2020 is just beginning ... more images soon.

For much of North Carolina, 2020 is just beginning...more images soon.

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