The week of Christmas is generally when I get to take a vacation as they do not hold any court. Usually we go away for a week, to the mountains or to the beach but this year we decided to spend what we would have spent on the vacation on a canoe (more of that later) and just go on some overnight trips. One of these was to Lake Mattamuskeet via Ocracoke. We drove to Cedar Island to get the ferry and unfortunately missed the 1:30 sailing and had to wait for the 4:30. This really wasn't too bad because it meant that we could get some lunch and then had a little time prior to the ferry arriving to wander down by the beach and watch the shore birds. The weather was perfect. Not too warm but beautifully sunny. The tide had just gone out and there were several still pools which were like mirrors reflecting the Carolina blue sky. In them were several sanderlings looking for food. With the clarity of the reflection they almost looked like push-me-pullyou Sanderlings :)



We boarded the ferry and it quickly became obvious that our timing was actually going to be perfect as the sun was beginning to set behind Cedar Island and it would be very pretty. As it was it turned into a perfect photographic opportunity as the seagulls followed the ferry, silhouetted by the setting sun.



We arrived on Ocracoke and found a motel and dinner and then I sat on the balcony of our motel room reading Harry Potter and enjoying the quiet.

The following day we rose early and headed toward the Hatteras Ferry. Once at Hatteras we found breakfast and set off for the long trip to the mainland via Manteo. We got to Lake Mattamuskeet and drove to the lodge. The trip there was exciting enough as the sides of the road were covered with Nutria, merrily nibbling on the grass with their huge orange teeth. I had never seen one in the flesh before and it was quite exciting to be able to get the opportunity to photograph them. We toured the various trails and I stalked a fair number of Great Blue Herons and Egrets, and then we set off for the road crossing the lake and the various viewing areas on there. As we were driving my husband reminded me that I had promised him Eagles. We pulled into a viewing station and as I walked down the small pier I spotted this:



Two eagles dancing in the sky. I beckoned for my husband to join me and using the telescope on the viewing station he confirmed that they were two juvenile bald eagles, just getting in their adult plumage. Soon the larger of the two landed on a tree in the distance and the plumage was easier to see.



We were both delighted that we had seen them in the wild. Another moment for the bag of diamonds. Later as we drove back down the same road we saw one of the eagles fishing. And after having successfully caught a fish he very kindly landed in a snag close by. The light was quickly fading and he was almost in shadow but I could not resist at least attempting the shot.



I think he thought that I was going to steal his fish, so rather than risk it he flew off to eat it elsewhere. It was a wonderful trip, and so wonderful in fact that we are going back this weekend to the Alligator River National Wildlife Reserve to see if I can find that otter I spotted while we were driving by. Believe me if I do I will be posting photographs. If you are ever in North Carolina check out Lake Mattamuskeet, especially this time of year when there are hundreds of thousands of overwintering birds there, the sight of thousands of tundra swans, snow geese and canada geese sheltering in its calm waters is absolutely beautiful and should not be missed.

I am a political junkie, I will admit that most readily. The race for president therefore is of extreme interest to me. I have followed the candidates, checked out their positions, and my heart, my absolute soul has been stolen by Barak Obama. I am a republicrat, I agree with Republican view on some matters (fiscal responsibility, smaller government, tax cuts, etc.) whereas I and purely democratic on other issues (pro choice, anti-gun, etc.) But this morning when I woke the sun rose on another world for me, as the silky rays of the sun arose over the horizon we woke to a new day, a new era, a new morning where a state which is 97% white chose a black man to be president. The air smelled cleaner this morning, the sun was brighter, the birds sang more, and the whole world sang "there is hope", there is hope for a new world, a new America! I listened to Barak's speech, it was, not to put too fine a point on it, inspiring, it brought shivers down the spine and tears to the eyes. As I listened to him, as I listened to him speak of unity and of setting aside partisan differences I cried, such was the power of his speech. This is the moment people, this is the defining moment in the history of America where they can put aside the pains of their history and can say once and for all "we are a new country." I watched history unfold last night, I watched history unfold this morning, and my heart soared with joy that perhaps now, perhaps now we can follow the vision of hope, of change, of putting a man in the oval office who will do his best for the people of this nation and who will put aside petty partisan bickering and lead. Oh the sun was so much brighter this morning, the air so much cleaner, the birds sang so much clearer, and the world looked on and said "America you got it right". And through all this my mind goes back to the days upon the Lancaster Canal, with my sister, my beloved sister, (who is black) and a whole new generation of people who were raised to be colour blind, a whole new generation who see only a man, and his brilliant wife, and his charming children and for not one second look at his colour. This is a great day. I am not sure that I will ever be able to surpass it.