Taylor estimated there to be about three to four hundred sharks hanging out in this area. We have several shark species that visit our coastal waters. While there may be large numbers of sharks, attacks are very few and far between. Sharks aren’t looking to eat people. They are fish eaters. Don’t get me wrong, if I see one while I’m in the water, I usually find my way back to the beach rather quickly.

Some of the species of sharks that can be found off the Crystal Coast are  spinner sharks, sand tiger, blacktip, blacknose, sharpnose, hammerhead, and bull sharks. In all there about twenty-six sharks species that are common to our coast.

I know some people get scared to go in the water by images like these. But in reality, I think you’re more likely to be killed in a rip current, the drive here, or the drive home than from a shark attack. So please don’t let the sharks scare you away, they are much less of a problem than one may think. WITN TV had a story similar to this on their site, and I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the comments left by their readers.

Dora wrote, “well, why does’nt someone try to catch these sharks before they come to our shoreline? If they are all together can’t someone put out a large net over em? They could all then be hauled out to sea? “

I nearly fell off the couch laughing. Where do these people come from? Dora, if we hauled them all out to sea what do we do when they return? And they’re not bothering us, why would we want to interfere with them? Not to mention who is going to pay for netting them and hauling them out to sea? Sure it could be done, but it would be a pretty dumb move wouldn’t it?

Taylor estimated the sharks at around four to six feet in length. Hardly anything like Jaws, so I’ll still be in the water this weekend.

Alligator swimming - Onslow Beach, NC

Camp Lejeune wildlife law enforcement officer Paul Boniface said he pretty much let the alligator do what he wanted. After about a three hour journey the alligator found his way back to the inlet and then back into the sound where he posed less danger to himself or humans in the area.

One can only wonder what the alligator was doing out there. I’ve heard about alligator tracks being spotted on North Carolina beaches before, and some biologists speculate that they are heading to the beaches in search of sea turtle eggs. 

Alligator - Onslow Beach, NC

Whatever the case it sure is an awesome sight. Seeing an alligator in the wild up close and personal is truly a remarkable feeling that really cannot be put into words.

I used to think there were not so many alligators around here. But A few weeks back, a friend and I were canoeing the White Oak River just outside Swansboro and we bumped into about a five foot alligator. So they are definitely here.

Alligator in White Oak River

It was really cool to get as close as we did. But once we were within a few feet, we decided it best to move on out of the area to avoid any conflict with the prehistoric looking creature.

A civilian that was flying over the location notified authorities of what appeared to be a beached whale on Monday. Tuesday the Coast Guard confirmed the report. Unfortunately, as is often the case on the Crystal Coast the weather was not co-operating with rescue efforts. Due to rough seas and dangerous winds a rescue crew could not be sent right away by boat.

On Wednesday the Coast Guard carried NOAA staff and a veterinarian by helicopter to the shoal. They went at low tide and were even able to land on the temporarily exposed sandbar. The daring crew gave the whale a sedative to make it more comfortable

Today Coast Guard personnel flew over the whale and reported some movement. This afternoon a team arrived and assessed the right whale’s condition. The whale was euthanized by the team due to the poor condition of the whale. A necropsy will be performed in an effort to determine why the whale beached itself.

I read about several right whales beaching themselves. Another just occurred December 16, 2008. in Avon, NC. Another a few years back in 2004 beached itself in Ocean Sands, NC. 

What makes these animals beach themselves? Is it something we humans are doing? Or is it a natural phenomena? Either way the right whale is endangered in a big way. It is estimated that only between 350-400 are left. They’re on the brink of extinction. Pretty sad when you think about it. 

I only hope we can find a way to preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations to enjoy.