Sunday, January 20, 2013
Ixodida
On Friday afternoon Amy, David, Lachlan and I made an excursion to Old Hammock, a wooded area just north of the NPS campground. A narrow footpath meanders among the live oaks and other vegetation, all the way to the edge of the marsh. Looking across the marsh and into Pamlico Sound we could see a fairly large hunting blind. Shortly afterwards we heard the sound of duck hunters' shotguns firing.
Back among the trees we approached one of the largest live oaks on the island, Old Hammock Oak (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news122908.htm). Its huge low hanging branches were just "made" for a young boy to climb!
After some time enjoying this majestic tree we walked across the highway to explore a series of old dunes now covered with yaupons, bay trees, oaks, and pines. We pushed through brambles, vines, twigs, rotting trunks, and low branches, up to the edge of a shallow wetland. We were exploring a part of Ocracoke seldom experienced by most visitors (and many islanders).
It was time to make our way back after an afternoon immersed in nature.
Driving down Highway 12 Amy noticed several tiny black critters crawling on her pants. They were arachnids of the order Ixodida, animals commonly known as ticks. We weren't surprised, but as soon as we arrived back home we examined ourselves closely, headed to the showers, and tossed our clothes in the washer.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.
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Om are you saying you do not use bug spray with DEET while walking in the woods???. Is not Lyme disease a concern when in the woods on a walk!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of a favorite place on the island. Vickie P.
ReplyDeleteThere are few things i hate more than ticks!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way to spend some time, though (minus the ticks ;) )
Took my dogs there last we and we got covered with ticks also!
ReplyDeleteLucky for us the wind chill is below zero, can't get ticks in this weather!
ReplyDeleteWhile visiting the island last Labor Day weekend, I thought I would take the time (finally) to explore the trail you mention across from the NPS campground. It is a beautiful area, but even when thoroughly covered in insect repellant the mosquitos were so thick and aggressive that I had to run the whole course of the trail! It wasn't surprising given the amount of standing water in areas along the trail.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I'll have a chance to get back this spring (before the skeeters become oppressive) and truly have an opportunity to enjoy the trail.
The trail you are referring to is the Hammock Hills Nature Trail. It was established, and is maintained, by the NPS. We were exploring another area farther north, and also areas on the other side of the highway. This time of the year there are no mosquitoes on Ocracoke, just a few ticks!
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