On a previous trip, we visited five lighthouses in North Carolina. We were, however, unable to go to Cape Lookout Lighthouse as it was too far out of the way on that trip. So, on this trip, we decided to visit Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks, one of our favorite shell-hunting locations. Shackelford Banks is an uninhabited Barrier Island that contains free-roaming wild mustangs, which were most like brought from Spain in the mid-1500s to late 1700’s and ended up on the island d as a result of the numerous shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast.
After spending the previous night in Havelock, North Carolina, we proceeded about a 45-minute drive to Cape Lookout National Seashore and set a timer. The Visitor Center is located on Harker’s Island. At The Visitor Center, you can purchase ferry tickets to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, including the lighthouse and Shackleford Banks. We, of course, chose both despite the impending threat of rain. Of the dozen or so people on our boat, we were the only ones who chose to stop at Shackelford and were we ever glad we did!
to but documented
Horses are extremely quick and powerful in both defensive and offensive moves. They must be in order to survive. Watching safely and using a telephoto lens can yield amazing footage. It’s even better if you know the story, so read on!
Three bachelor stallions found mares together and formed an alpha-beta-gamma relationship. These are rare but documented and have a specific hierarchy. This video does not depict the mares and the beta from this group. The conflict in this video is between the alpha and gamma of this group. It escalates to the highest level of violence (rearing together and biting for each other’s jugular) because these horses are closely matched and near a valuable resource (freshwater). In this video, the alpha (who starts facing the camera with a star on his forehead) misses a back-kick but can hold the gamma off with posturing. This posturing behavior avoids physical contact, making each animal A more serious conflict ensues when the gamma comes facing to the right and drops his head to drink.
Either horse could have been seriously injured. JuAffter the worst conflict, the alpha holds his right foreleg up in pain; he has been recovering for weeks from injuries that likely occurred in a fight. They end in a short parallel pace and the gamma retreats, leaving the alpha to drink. He paws at the hole, perhaps to open it after they have trampled the area or perhaps just as acquisition behavior; the hold won’t yield fresh water very fast. Three times he has to back up and threaten; the gamma stays close but doesn’t try to fight further. Video Courtesy of C. Brookover
After observing and following the horses around for about 45 minutes, it began to rain, so we headed for the pickup point and on to the lighthouse.
After a brief trip across the ICW, we arrived at the dock still dripping wet from our rain shower. We were advised of the possibility of an early park closing, so we headed straight for the lighthouse to ensure we could climb it.
The Cape Lookout Lighthouse was built in 1812 and was 96 feet tall. It turned out to be too short to be effective for mariners traveling through the dangerous Diamond Shoals site of many shipwrecks.
The current structure was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1857 and completed in 1859 at a cost of $45,000. It is constructed of red brick with a first-order Fresnel lens and is 163 feet tall with 207 steps from the base to the gallery and is painted with a black and white diamond pattern.
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Interior stairway -
Fresnel lens -
View from the beach
After a 10-minute climb, we were treated to a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound. After a nice visit and a great chat with the park ranger stationed at the top, we descended and tried to catch a shuttle to go shelling. Unfortunately, impending thunderstorms caused the park to close early so we returned to the visitor center for an early dinner. We had a great time and look forward to returning.