I like to walk.  It’s a large part of how I develop a relationship with the land.  Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to walk in the Outer Banks (OBX).  There’s no development, few people, and miles of beautiful sand and ocean.  On a winter afternoon scouting walk with heavy gray skies at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, I happened upon these mysterious wooden sticks running parallel to the surf.  It was a coincidence that I arrived to this location at low tide, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been any the wiser.  I knew there was an historic shipwreck up the beach a ways, but I hadn’t seen these remnants before.  I still don’t know if these have anything to do with a shipwreck, or not.

Regardless, I noted the location and made sure to mark my calendar for the best opportunity when low tide would coincide with sunrise.  This image was the result.  I remember that it was a very windy morning and the ocean was almost unbearably cold against my bare feet and legs.  More than the image itself, however, this type of experience, for me, is more about adventure and discovery; of finding places that still feel wild and unknown.  Mysterious.  The Outer Banks of North Carolina is still a landscape that can surprise me.  That’s why I continue to return.  I hope that never changes.

Camera:  Nikon D810
Lens:  Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8 @ 32mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  January 16, 2019
Settings:  f11, 0.4 seconds, iso-100