Monky Island trip, who wants to come?

[jlphoto]

I'm working out a trip out to the Monky Island rookery for this next week. I'll be heading out this Sunday to scope things out as things should start winding down there soon, but will be organizing a boat trip out to the colony for photographers in the area that are interested in going.

If you dont know where Monky Island is, its located northwest of Corolla in the Currituck Sound. The island is about 15 acres and has an estimated 2,000 wading birds nestin on it. There will also be a number of osprey nests along the way in which all have chicks that are on the verge of fledging within the next week or two.

At the moment I have two captains that are interested in taking me and some folks out and it just depends on how many people I get that want to go out as to who we go with.

This sunday will be in a 23ft skiff and the captain has his 6pack lisence. Meaning, he can take up to 6 but really 4 is comfortable with gear and stuff.

The other option for next week is an air boat with room for 8. I'm a little hesitant on the air boat just because of the noise disturbance it might cause for the birds there on the island - but it sure would be a whole lot of fun! One possibility if we have to take the air boat would be to dump everone off at the south end of the island and we could all work our way along the north west side by simply wading in a couple of feet of water. This way, the area with the densest group of birds is not disturbed by the boat.

I know this is all last minute but hey its gonna be a blast!

Also, I'm working on finding a boat to take folks out to Pelican Island over at Oregon Inlet to photograph the nesting colony of pelicans and terns. More information on this one to come.

If either of these are of interest to you, give me a call. I'm not charging money or anything, just trying to get out and photograph. We'll just be responsible for paying for gas and maybe a small fee to the captian.

Jared Lloyd
757-377-4662
JL_photography@hotmail.com

[lacash]

Jared,

Nice of you to offer such trips. Unfortunately, I am heading out of town for the next couple of weeks. So, I won't be available for the Monkey Island trip. I have been to Pelican Island before and would be interested in going back.

[BillE]

If you decide to do this trip with a little more notice post the information here. I may be interested in such a trip if my schedule permits.

[bucklermark]

Be careful in/around Monkey Island. The island has been designated as one of the most important wading bird rookeries in the state for a couple of species and is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (part of the Mackey Island NWR). You are not allowed onto the island and, as the name implies, it is only accessible by boat.

I am out around the island almost daily. Let me know if you need more information.

Not that you would go onto the property that is closed to public access...but the island is also loaded with Cottonmouths.

Mark Buckler
www.markbucklerphotography.com (http://www.markbucklerphotography.com)

[jlphoto]

The cottonmouths are one of the best part!!! lol. I know that the island is off limits. Didn't used to be. I remember when Currituck county schools did field trips there. Are you piloting the NCWC tours out there or running private trips?
Jared