Outer Banks Scrapbook
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Wild on the Outer Banks

Maritime forests, marsh land and ocean beaches are all inhabited with plants and animals, some of which you may be surprised to see living on the coast.
 
Red wolf, black bear and even alligators, in addition to hundreds of birds, reptiles and mammals and seacreatures call the Outer Banks home.
 
A trip to the coast of NC offers many opportunities to view its wildlife.  Some of my favorites are dolphin tours in the sounds, the trails at Milltail Creek and Buffalo City and bird watching on Pea Island.

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A sand crab blends in with his surroundings. You might not notice him unless he moves.

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These brightly colored wild flowers can be found tucked between the sand dunes.

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Corolla, Ocracoke, Shackleford and Beaufort have free roaming wild horses

One of the best surprises to many folks is that NC's Outer Banks is home to several herds of wild horses.  These horses, called Banker Ponies, are descended from the horses brought here in the 16th century by Spanish explorers.
 
The horses pictured here are from the Corolla herd and were sold at auction to help control the size of the herd.  Grazing land has been reduced by commercial development since the Outer Banks has become a popular resort area.

Learn about my books, Pale as the Moon and An Independent Spirit, two histoical novels set on the Outer Banks and inspired by the wild ponies.