The New Guide to North Carolina Beaches is an invaluable resource for every coastal traveler in the Tar Heel State. This descriptive guide to North Carolina's coastal counties goes far beyond the basics to showcase all that the seaside has to offer, from beach access points and camping options to aquariums, museums, and other attractions. Glenn Morris also shares informative and entertaining histories of each county, insights into the maritime environment and its wildlife, and useful tips on subjects like the dos and don'ts of beach driving. *A beach-by-beach tour of more than 300 miles of coastline *Highlights public access points for beachgoers *Offers practical guidance for trip planning, whether day trips or weeklong vacations *Includes detailed maps, contact information, hours of operation, and much more

Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure. Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

A popular destination for bird-watchers from across the country, the coastal region of North Carolina is a seasonal home to approximately 400 species of birds, some of which are found more easily here than anywhere else in the United States. A Birder's Guide to Coastal North Carolina is the first guide to the prime bird-watching spots of the Tar Heel coast and nearby areas--including national seashores, national forests and wildlife refuges, state parks and game lands, and other public areas. Written for both casual and serious birders, the book features detailed site guides to the entire coastal region, including the Outer Banks. John Fussell provides an annotated checklist, habitat information, and bar graphs indicating seasonal abundance for all regularly occurring species. The book also includes a chapter on the 140 most sought-after species on the coast. Fussell describes the best places and conditions--seasonal, weather, and tidal--for finding these popular varieties. Detailed maps of most of the major birding sites complement the text.

In a comprehensive, easy-to-use access guide to the North Carolina coast, travel writer Morris covers state parks, public beaches, wildlife refuges, historic sites, boat ramps and docks, fishing piers, lighthouses, ferries, museums, and a variety of other sites. 50 illustrations and 32 maps.

In this hands-on, how-to guide to fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks, expert fisherman Stan Ulanski combines his enthusiasm, his experience, and his scientific expertise to show anglers how to catch more fish. Focusing on the essential but often misunderstood links between recreational fishing and the biology, geography, and natural history of the region, Fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks fosters an understanding of the aquatic environment of one of the nation's prime fishing destinations. Ulanski reveals the best approaches to the six main Outer Banks angling scenarios: surf, pier, sound, offshore, inshore, and reef, ledge, and shipwreck fishing. The book features illustrated fish profiles--each loaded with essential information, including identification, food value, and habitat pointers--and species-specific fishing tips for thirty-five of the Outer Banks' most common game fish. And, once you've made your catch, Ulanski provides important storing, cleaning, and cooking advice--including six of his favorite fresh fish recipes. This is a trusty tackle box tool for planning fishing trips to the Outer Banks and for understanding the underwater setting of the fish you're out to catch. Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

This accessibly written and authoritative guide updates the beloved and much-used 1970s classic Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas. In this completely reimagined book, Paul E. Hosier provides a rich, new reference guide to plant life in the coastal zone of the Carolinas for nature lovers, gardeners, landscapers, students, and community leaders. Features include: * Detailed profiles of more than 200 plants, with color photographs and information about identification, value to wildlife, relationship to natural communities, propagation, and landscape use. * Background on coastal plant communities, including the effects of invasive species and the benefits of using native plants in landscaping. * A section on the effects of climate change on the coast and its plants. * A list of natural areas and preserves open to visitors interested in observing native plants in the coastal Carolinas. * A glossary that includes plant names and scientific terms. With a special emphasis on the benefits of conserving and landscaping with native plants, this guide belongs on the shelf of every resident and visitor to the coasts of the Carolinas.