Charles Thrasher

Photographs of coastal Carolina.

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A Tree’s Knees

January 1, 2021 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

January 1, 2021

There is only one tree with knees and no one knows why.

At the turn of the year, in the depth of winter, I’m kept by the cold from paddling on the rivers and sounds so I’ve occupied myself with learning more about the place where I live, especially the swamps of North Carolina. And there is nothing more distinctive in those swamps than the bald cypress.

Bald cypress with knees on the shore of Sidney Creek, NC.
Barnacled buttresses and knees of bald cypress along the shore of Sidney Creek, NC.

The cypress family—including the coast redwood and the giant sequoia—are inexpressibly old. They were growing on Pangea around 150 million years ago before the supercontinent broke up and distributed the trees globally. That is old.

But only one of them—the bald cypress—has knees. (Also, the pond cypress if you’re going to quibble but they’re so closely related you can’t casually tell them apart.)

Bald cypress with knees and Spanish moss, Sidney Creek, NC.

The bald cypress grows best in the soft muck of a swamp. In fact, places where they dominate the canopy are called cypress swamps. They thrive in environments where little else can compete. Their roots spread horizontally, like a spider’s web, before plunging vertically, providing leverage against the trunk being downed by a strong wind, but the knees are often thrust several feet above average high water.

Ruins of a wharf encompassed by knees of bald cypress, Sidney Creek, NC.
The ruins of an old pier encompassed by bald cypress knees, Sidney Creek, NC.

Biologists were once convinced that the knees helped aerate the roots in swamp water deprived of oxygen. It seemed a reasonable assumption until field experiments found there was no exchange of gases between the knees and the atmosphere. Cypress knees are also lacking the tissues—lenticels and aerenchyma—that plants use to move gases into their roots.

The alternate theory—that knees stiffen the roots and provide the tree with greater support—is belied by the fact that bald cypress growing in deep water don’t develop knees. Since the tree would seem to need as much support in deep water as shallow, this theory has no legs.

So, this unique feature of a unique tree remains an enigma to botanists and adds mystery to my admiration of swamps.

Rotting knee of a bald cypress used as an anchor, Sidney Creek, NC.
Rotting knee of a bald cypress used as an anchor, Sidney Creek, NC.

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Sunrise, Chocowinity Bay Withered tree, Whichard's Beach

Filed Under: North Carolina, Sidney Creek, Wetlands Tagged With: Bald Cypress, cypress knees, North Carolina, Pangea, Sidney Creek, swamps

The Third Mistake

December 30, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

December 30, 2020

Recently, a body was found by a duck hunter on the shore of Croatan Sound. The authorities weren’t able to identify it on sight, but a kayaker went missing from Manns Harbor, 10 miles north, three weeks before. His name was Alexander Rush.

Years ago, when I was a professional sailor, I often heard it’s not the first or even the second mistake that kills you, but the third in a row. That may be allegorical, but it points to the fact that it’s a succession of mistakes that prove fatal, not an isolated decision.

Alexander Rush chose to go paddling alone. That’s a decision many of us make, including me, especially on flat water. It may not be a mistake but it is a risk, like hiking alone in the Sierra Nevada or sailing solo. If you get into trouble, there’s no one to help.

In the winter, the water temperature on Croatan Sound is usually in the 50s. Lately, it’s been as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Falling into water that cold is a physical shock. It takes your breath away, strains your heart, and scrambles your coordination. It becomes difficult to think. I’m almost 70-years-old. My body doesn’t have the resilience of a 30-year-old but even youth isn’t a guarantee of survival. Alexander Rush was only 26-years-old.

I have a new kayak, an Oru Bay ST—a folding kayak—that I’m eager to get on the water. It’s a lot more sensitive to weight distribution than the gunboat I have been paddling; I’m more likely to capsize it than the old NuCanoe Frontier. That’s not a problem if the water is 70 degrees, or even 60, but when the temperature falls below 50, the body leaks heat like the surface of the moon.

I was planning on paddling alone on Milltail Creek on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge—a body of water protected from the wind and hardly more than a stone’s throw from any shore—but then I read about the body washed ashore. Croatan Sound borders the Alligator River NWR. It made me think again.

I didn’t have any clothing appropriate for swimming in cold water. I was planning on wearing rain gear. Then I remembered the Rule of Three. Paddling alone was the first risk factor, paddling in winter without a dry suit ideally or a wetsuit minimally was the second. Capsizing in 50-degree water might be the third.

Alexander Rush was wearing a hoodie, sweatpants, and Crocs. He didn’t have a PFD to keep his head above water when the cold numbed his body. He probably never thought of the mounting risks when he launched his kayak from Manteo to go fishing. He probably never heard it’s the third mistake that kills.

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: Kayaking, North Carolina Tagged With: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, cold water paddling, Croatan Sound, kayaking, Milltail Creek, North Carolina, NuCanoe Frontier, Oru Bay ST, risks, winter paddling

Oru Maiden Voyage

December 21, 2020 by Charles Thrasher 2 Comments

December 21, 2020

The temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit, a lowering sky and a wind 5-10 MPH from the north. Like all north winds, it had an edge brittle as broken glass. I was paddling up Chocowinity Bay to Sidney Creek, across to Chocowinity Creek, then back down the bay to Cypress Landing. It was the cockleshell’s maiden voyage.

I’ve paddled this route many times before but always in a NuCanoe Frontier, a hybrid kayak stable as a gunboat and almost as heavy. Hauling 76 pounds up the steep embankment to our house had become problematic for an old man. The cockleshell weighs only 28 pounds soaking wet.

Technically, it’s an Oru Bay ST but cockleshell fits. I bought it not only because it’s light but because it folds to the size of a suitcase. I needed something small to take on extended vacations. I can also haul it across steep embankments and punishing riprap that’s the only access to many of the blackwater rivers in North Carolina.

Boarding a cockleshell can be challenging first time. The Oru Bay ST.

Boarding a cockleshell can be challenging the first time…or any time. The Oru Bay ST.

The transition from gunboat to cockleshell was interesting. I swear I could dance a hornpipe on the deck of the Frontier without serious risk of upset. (To be honest, I don’t know how to dance.) The Oru is less forgiving. If your head gets out of alignment with your torso, you know immediately. It’s a remarkable training aid for aligning your body and sinking your chi.

I was a professional sailor for 15 years. I’ve sailed both of the U.S. continental coasts, one end to the other, and Hawaii to San Francisco several times. I thought I was a good boatman. I should have remembered that pride comes before a fall and a soaking follows arrogance.

Like flying an airplane, takeoff and landing are the troublesome moments. Getting in and out of the Oru required skills I hadn’t developed sailing boats across oceans. What resulted was the sort of physical comedy that made Charlie Chaplin famous.

Since my initial trial, the weather has been mean and unrelenting. Today was the first day it hasn’t been raining or blowing a gale so I struggled into my Frogg Toggs, neoprene booties, raincoat, and CO2 inflatable life vest to go for a casual paddle while my wife worried she would be left a widow. (She can’t imagine how I’ll ever get back into the kayak if I capsize.)

A folding kayak is still a novelty on the sounds and rivers of North Carolina. I expect I’ll have some explaining to do but today there was no one else on the water. I took a few pictures, not because I expect they’ll have any aesthetic value, just to prove I was there.

Sidney Creek, Chocowinity Bay, on a gloomy day in December.

Sidney Creek, Chocowinity Bay, on a gloomy day in December.

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Sunrise, Chocowinity Bay Withered tree, Whichard's Beach

Filed Under: Chocowinity Bay, Kayaking, North Carolina, Sidney Creek Tagged With: Chocowinity Bay, kayaking, North Carolina, Oru Bay ST, Sidney Creek

Awash

June 19, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Engelhard, NC

An old fishing boat in Engelhard Harbor, decks awash, dock lines still secured. It’s the fate of most wooden fishing boats to sink at sea or in the harbor. The cost of breaking them up and hauling them away usually falls to the municipality, a pauper’s burial.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

An old fishing boat in Engelhard Harbor, decks awash, dock lines still secured.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: Engelhard, North Carolina, Waterfront Tagged With: art print, awash, commercial fishing, Engelhard, fishing boats, North Carolina

Captain Mike

June 19, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Engelhard, NC

The Captain Mike will never go to sea again. Her planks are sprung, seams are open, and rust stains her white hull. Some old boats have value in their scrap metal. Old wooden boats are just an expense.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

The Captain Mike will never go to sea again. Her planks are sprung, seams are open, and rust stains her white hull.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: Engelhard, North Carolina, Waterfront Tagged With: art print, Captain Mike, Engelhard, fishing boats, North Carolina, wreck

Crab Pot

June 18, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Engelhard, NC

A bent and twisted crab pot discarded on the dock at Engelhard. The raised wood grain of the dock shows the same hard wear. It’s a marginal life, fishing for a living.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

A bent and twisted crab pot lies discarded on the dock at Engelhard, NC.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: Engelhard, North Carolina, Waterfront Tagged With: art print, commercial fishing, crab pot, Engelhard, North Carolina

Aloft

June 17, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Oriental, NC

Nets hung to dry in the rigging of the Master Joseph of Rayboro, North Carolina.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

Nets hung to dry in the rigging of the Master Joseph of Rayboro, NC.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: North Carolina, Oriental, Waterfront Tagged With: art print, commercial fishing, fishing nets, Master Joseph, North Carolina, Oriental, purse seiner, Rayboro

Old Soldiers

June 16, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Swan Quarter, NC

Old purse seiners rafted to the commercial wharf at Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Their hulls are bleached by the early morning light like the bones of old soldiers left on the field.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

Old purse seiners rafted to the commercial wharf at Swan Quarter, North Carolina.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: North Carolina, Swan Quarter, Waterfront Tagged With: art print, commercial fishing, Dinah Jane, fishing boats, Miss Peaches, North Carolina, purse seiner, Swan Quarter

Abreast

June 16, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Swan Quarter, NC

Fishing vessels lay rafted alongside the wharf at Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Like a moth-balled fleet, they are slowly weathering away.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

Fishing vessels lay rafted alongside the wharf at Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Like a moth-balled fleet, they are slowly weathering away.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Addiction. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: North Carolina, Swan Quarter, Waterfront Tagged With: commercial fishing, Dinah Jane, fishing boats, Just Right, Miss Peaches, North Carolina, Predator, purse seiner, Swan Quarter

Addiction

June 16, 2020 by Charles Thrasher Leave a Comment

Swan Quarter, NC

Commercial fishing boats in North Carolina often have threatening names, names like Addiction, Predator, and Night Stalker. Fishing is a dangerous business. Perhaps such aggressive names are intended to intimidate what they most fear.

To purchase this print, visit the Waterfront Gallery.

Commercial fishing boats in North Carolina often have threatening names, names like Addiction, Predator, and Night Stalker.

Waterfront Gallery slideshow.

Drying out. Swan Quarter, NC Sky net. Swan Quarter, NC Rust. Swan Quarter, NC Lay day. Swan Quarter, NC Tradition. Swan Quarter, NC Dinah Jane. Swan Quarter, NC Predator. Swan Quarter, NC Making berth. Swan Quarter, NC Shifting berth. Swan Quarter, NC Rainbow. Swan Quarter, NC Derelict. Cypress Landing, NC Just Right. Swan Quarter, NC Abreast.  Swan Quarter, NC Tired. Swan Quarter, NC Aloft. Oriental, NC Crab pot. Engelhard, NC Another day. Engelhard, NC Captain Mike. Engelhard, NC Awash. Engelhard, NC Splintered. Bayboro, NC Long dock. Bayboro, NC Retrofit. Bayboro, NC Stripped. Bayboro, NC Trestle. Pamlico River, NC Dolphin. Pamlico River, NC Abandoned. Pamlico River, NC Sequestered. Pamlico River, NC Expectant. Pamlico River, NC Havens Wharf. Washington, NC Havens Gristmill. Washington, NC Persistence. Pamlico River, NC Shadows. Pamlico River, NC Askew. Pamlico River, NC Subdued. Pamlico River, NC IMG_3860_p

Related Images:

Hardworn Refitting Bayboro Fishing Fleet Docked Refuge Roosting Scuttled

Filed Under: North Carolina, Swan Quarter, Waterfront Tagged With: Addiction, art print, commercial fishing, North Carolina, purse seiner, Swan Quarter

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Recent Posts

  • Whiskey on Chocowinity Creek
  • A Tree’s Knees
  • The Third Mistake
  • Hidden Life of Bald Cypress
  • Oru Maiden Voyage
  • An Origami Kayak
  • Cypress Stump
  • Disheveled
  • Subdued
  • Askew
  • Shadows
  • Havens Wharf
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  • Refit
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