Lake Mattamusskett- Any suggestions?

[htony]

Does anyone have suggestions about a day trip up to Mattamusskett for some pictures of migrating waterfowl? I have never been there but would like to chance getting some shots.

thanks in advance
Brian

[BillE]

I go to Lake Mattamuskeet fairly often. There are many places to go for waterfowl pictures. The easiest is right off the causeway on Highway 94. Hwy 94 splits the lake into two equal sides, one on the east and one on the west. I photographed a Snowy Egret there this past Saturday on the Southwest side of the lake right off Hwy 94. There is also a road that goes towards the NWR Headquarters that runs east from the Southern end of the lake; that road is accessible from Hwy 94. There are always ducks, egrets, and blue herons located there. This past weekend in addition to the Snowy Egret I photographed, I saw and photographed a variety of ducks, a Great Black-Backed Seagull, White Ibis, and a flock of White Pelicans.

[Photobiologist]

PM sent...

[athompson]

Hi. The Triangle chapter is going in Feb. Why don't you meet them?
I enjoy going to the marsh in early fall. The swans begin to arrive near Dec. I found a variety of birds and beautiful color in the marsh in fall. Combine a ferry ride from Swanquarter over to Okrakoke.

[htony]

Do you guys know the date of the Feb. shoot? Can someone from the myrtle beach area participate?

[athompson]

Hi. I am in mts., but I read it on Triangle region site. Susan Bailey is there and knows. I am told that any member of CNPA can participate in another region,s events if there is an opening. Find Regions on this site, and choose Triangle. That will link you to their site. I guess there will be mostly tundra swans and geese this time of year. The ferry is only 5 mi. away. Be sure to go to marsh next to lake.

[bucklermark]

The Triangle Region outing to Mattamuskeet is this weekend Feb 1-3.

I am at Mattamuskeet often (2-3 times per month) to photograph. With this year's drought many of the impoundments that host the "photographable" birds are lower than normal and most of the ducks are on the lake (largest natural lake in NC) or in impoundments that are not publicly accessible. The causeway that runs through the middle of the lake can produce lots of accessible birds if the wind conditions are right. There are plenty of swans on the lake.

There are always plenty of other subjects to photograph there if the waterfowl is not cooperating. Along the entrance road impoundment you are likely to see ibis, herons, egrets, lots of coots, ducks, raptors, kingfishers, shorebirds, nutria and deer. Lots of cedar waxwings moving through last week! There's plenty to photograph besides the waterfowl, including scenics, if you just hunt around.

You can also stop by Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge to try and catch the snow geese. There is a flock of about 80,000 that overnights on Pungo Lake and moves to the agricultural fields during the day...it's an amazing sight. I even witnessed a bobcat catching a snow goose last week.

feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Mark Buckler
mark@markbucklerphotography.com

[Photobiologist]

If y'all see a guy in a white F-250 or F-350 with Georgia plates over there this weekend, give him a hand. He'll be in his 50's, reddish/grayish hair, kinda wirey, and shooting Nikon gear... His name is Mark Atwater - www.upclosephoto.com.