Outer Banks and coastal North Carolina

The Outer Banks contain a diverse ecosystem of beaches, swamps, and woodlands, where wild mustangs live just a few miles from alligators. Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Alligator River National Wildlife refuges have some to the most dense population of black bears anywhere. April 2026

Light brown Dam (center) with blond main with her 2 yearlings. Shackleford Banks, NC
Light brown Dam (center) with blond main with her 2 yearlings. Shackleford Banks, NC
The family lives right along the Atlantic Ocean
The family lives right along the Atlantic Ocean
Mom demonstrates rolling in the sand
Mom demonstrates rolling in the sand
Rolling in the sand just like mom!
Rolling in the sand just like mom!
This is the Sire of the 2 yearlings
This is the Sire of the 2 yearlings
Tundra Swans in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Tundra Swans in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bears at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bears at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Momma bear in in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Momma bear in in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Curious cub
Curious cub
Mom guarding the family
Mom guarding the family
Cubs playing
Cubs playing
Momma keeping an eye out
Momma keeping an eye out
Black Bear in the forest, Pocosin Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bear in the forest, Pocosin Lake National Wildlife Refuge
North Punga Lake Road (PLNWR)
North Punga Lake Road (PLNWR)
Black Bear at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bear at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunset
Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunset
Bodie Lighthouse
Bodie Lighthouse
Sun star at sun rise
Sun star at sun rise
Red Wolves in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Red Wolves in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Barred Owl
Barred Owl
American Alligator in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
American Alligator in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Turtles are common in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Turtles are common in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Swallowtail
Swallowtail
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Sunset at Nags Head
Sunset at Nags Head
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