NATURALIST'S 



NOTEBOOK 



KRIS CLINARD, a senior from Kernersville 

 majoring in computer engineering 



I found the trip to be a very important 

 feature that helped tie together the lectures in 

 class. The real world experience showed the 

 impact that nature can have on one of its own 

 islands. I had never really witnessed first hand 

 the erosion that occurs due to hurricanes, smaller 

 storms and waves on an island that was not 

 inhabited. It was very impressive to see the 

 amount of sand that had been taken away from 

 the shore all around the island and how it was 

 really changing right in front of our eyes. 



After marking off the amount of distance 

 that a homebuilder would have to allow from the 

 first line of sable and natural vegetation 

 (according to the construction set-back rules 

 established by the state's Coastal Area 

 Management Act), I found that I did not think it 

 was far enough away from the shoreline. 



I was impressed with the many different 

 species that lived on such a small island, and 

 how they all adapted to the rough life. Plants 

 adapt to environment by aggressive root 

 systems, wind resistance, bending, and 

 resistance to salt spray, drought and heat 

 tolerance. 



The high tide and storm tide are quite 

 different from each other. I can tell the storm tide 

 by some of the debris that has washed up and 

 been caught on vegetation. The storm tide looks 

 even worse in some places that seem to wash 

 away and carry on water during large surges. 



CARRINGTON EDMUNDS, a senior from 

 Davidson majoring in chemical engineering 



It was interesting to note the wide 

 differences between the regions of a barrier 

 island. As we moved across the dunes, I noticed 

 several different types of wildlife. I noticed a 

 large ant lion. These particular animals create a 

 funnel of sand that traps ants. As the ants funnel 

 down the sand, the ant lions trap the ants in their 

 jaws. This was amazing to watch. 



As we crossed the dunes, we noticed some 

 higher dunes and rested our stomachs on the 

 dune structure. When the wind blew, I noticed 

 the light sand whip across the top of the bare 

 dune. It was interesting to note that as we moved 

 further inland, the sand seemed to be less dense 

 and had a really nice consistency to it. It was fine 

 and almost white in color. 



As we moved away from the range of salt 

 spray and into the maritime forest, I noticed the 



presence of live oaks, red bay, wax myrtle and a 

 toothache tree. When the leaves of the toothache 

 tree are on your tongue, they give a tingling 

 feeling. 



As we walked around the island, I noticed 

 an inlet hazard area. In this area you could see 

 just how dynamic the inlet could be. This was 

 evident by the undercutting of the trees that once 

 held the bank in. Fallen trees covered an area 

 from the high bank to the water's edge. 



As we walked, the highlight of the trip 

 happened: Walter noticed an octopus in the 

 water. I have never seen one before. It was a 

 beautiful animal that changes colors as it moves. 

 Another reason why this animal was so 

 magnificent was its jet propulsion system. 

 Octopi use jet propulsion to propel themselves 

 through the water. 



LANDON LASMITH, a senior from 

 Greensboro majoring in computer science 

 We begin walking over and across sand 

 dunes pointing out all the plants that we see. 

 There is an abundance of trees that died because 

 of sea spray from the last storm. Certain parts of 

 the island look like dead zones because the trees 

 are gray and lifeless. 



28 WINTER 2002 



