Coastal Tidings 2 



The Inlet a Colorful Past, an Uncertain Future 



From its very birth, Oregon Inlet has been marked by turbulence, and 

 that turbulence continues today. This shifting passageway to the ocean 

 — which has swallowed sailors and made a way for fishers to earn 

 their living — still chums up debate about its future 6 



Beyond Pfiesteria: Harmful Algae in Coastal Waters 



You've probably heard of Pfiesteria piscicida and maybe red tides, 

 but what do you know about Heterosigtna or brown tide? The nation's 

 coastal waters harbor all sorts of harmful algae that can bloom under 

 the right conditions and create trouble for fish, shellfish, the habitat and 

 even people 14 



Pfiesteria Research: Scientists Study Causes and Effects 



Scientists still know little about Pfiesteria despite the attention it has 

 received in recent years. North Carolina researchers are asking 

 questions and getting interesting answers 16 



Mis' Bashi and the Lady Doctor 



A century ago, women lived under the "shadow of maternity" as they 

 faced the risk of dying in childbirth. But the women of Hatteras Island 

 had help from two different kinds of healers — one a self-taught 

 midwife and the other a lady doctor 20 



Drawing Conclusions: Meditations on an Old-Fashioned Bridge 



To some, drawbridges are an inconvenience. But to others, they 

 represent a philosophy of simplicity. They are a reminder that islands 

 are altogether different from mainland places 24 



Book Market: Guided Tours of the Coast — 

 Where to Go, What to See and How to Get There 



For many, a trip to the coast means making a beeline to the hotel and 

 then the beach. But North Carolina is full of nooks and crannies worth 

 a look, and finding them is as easy as cracking the spine on a good 

 guidebook 27 



Naturalist's Notebook: Bills, Bills, Bills! 



Some beach birds have schnozzles to rival entertainer Jimmy 

 Durante' s; others have pert little beaks. Their differences are not simply 

 cosmetic — a bird's bill is a marvel of form and function 30 



Maritime Morsels: Chill Out With Summer Seafood Salads 



On sultry summer days, a hot dish can be as appetizing as lava. Rather 

 than heat up the stove, satisfy your hunger and your palate by mixing a 

 cool seafood salad 32 



COASTWATCH 



