Category Archives: People

The Albatross Fleet

I’ve long appreciated the Hatteras-based charter boats known as the Albatross Fleet. Amongst all of the local offshore charter boats, the Albatross Fleet stands out. All three boats are undoubtedly the oldest around still operating. Over the years I’ve enjoyed opportunities to  photograph them. 

In 2000 I was offshore shooting anglers looking for bluefin tuna while Albatross III was trolling nearby. The appealing design and sheer of the boat struck me.

The boats have been docked in the same place for several decades. I shot them again in 2005 during the Day at the Docks event.

Red and white bamboo outriggers have long been an Albatross Fleet trademark.

While checking out the Hatteras waterfront in 1990, I saw the original 1938 Albatross hauled out for repairs.

Most recently a fundraiser was begun to help a local 5 year old girl, Milly King who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Hundreds of people have stepped forward to raise money for her expensive treatments. Two of those pitching in to help are Ernie and Lynne Foster. Ernie’s dad initiated the island’s charter fishing business back in 1938 when he built the first Albatross. The history is fascinating.

Albatross History

Ernie and Lynne volunteered to offer sunset cruises during Spring weekends for a $200 donation for Milly. I jumped at the opportunity to book a May trip, and asked my wife, Denise and 4 of our friends to come along.

We got underway aboard Albatross at 6:00, leaving the Albatross II and III at the dock.

We settled in and took in the sights.

Everyone had a great time with refreshments, snacks and some occasional gossip.

Eric Anglin’s ceviche was a huge hit with the crew. It’s the best I’ve ever had!

It was a great experience for us all. Captain Ernie and Lynne were wonderful hosts for the worthy cause. We share concerns about a healthy environment, appreciating our history and giving back to the island community.

To learn more about Milly’s journey, read this story.

Community rallies around “Mighty Milly” King as Buxton family begins leukemia fight

 

 

Why I Live Here

People ask, how’s the photography going? My answer can vary, but it depends what I’m working on. Nowadays I’ve cut back shooting, to spend more time editing and archiving what’s accumulated. I’m a photographic hoarder. I maintain and store what I shoot in a reasonably categorized fashion, so when looking for particular images, I can almost always find them. There are a few missing in action, others may have been inadvertently tossed. I just do the best I can.

I have boxes of saved work prints. Many shot with film, others taken with digital cameras that I began using in 2003. For the above image I spread some 10 inch prints across my work table and photographed them from above.

They show some of the reasons why I live here. So to answer that first question, it’s good!

The Return of Old Buck

Locally, the tradition of celebrating Old Christmas continues. A throwback from the Julian Calendar, it’s ongoing today. When the Gregorian Calendar was put into effect sometime in the 18th century, folks here were late to change. In the isolated village of Chicamacomico, they kept Christmas celebration at the old date. Nowadays this community must be one of very few in the country celebrating Christmas twice. 

Going for a couple hundred years, Old Christmas has morphed into what it is today, most recently this past January 10th. My favorite part is feasting on roasted oysters and waiting for the arrival of Old Buck, the legendary steer that comes out of Trent Woods to join celebrants.

There are plenty of oysters. These were roasted in the same homemade cooker as mentioned in my previous post.

The community skatepark was as popular as ever!

The weather was great. Lots of people were outside for oysters and others indoors for chicken and pastry.

Oyster shucking is an art unto itself, requiring care and concentration.

Owen O’Neal arrives with Old Buck. Caretaking of the symbolic creature has been passed down for generations through family members or relatives.

Old Buck is led into the community building greeted by excited revelers. At times it seems chaotic.

I had to watch myself as Old Buck got a bit rambunctious.

It’s good luck to touch Old Buck. Before you know it, he’s out the door and gone another year!

This year, Old Buck’s appearance was expedited by his handlers. Thanks to Owen O’Neal, Willy Smith and Andrew Midgett.

The Art of Roasting

As autumn transcends to winter, folks here think about oysters. Community oyster roasts are as popular as ever. It seems there’s always one happening somewhere nearby. They are usually fundraisers for nonprofits. 

This year in Rodanthe the 4th annual Shuck Hatteras was celebrated December 20th to benefit Chicamacomico Banks Fire and Rescue. Lots of people pitched in to help prepare and serve wild caught oysters from Swan Quarter.

They started with 75 bushels.

Owen O’Neal began cleaning them with a power washer.

Ronnie and Tyler Jarvis worked fire pits, made from stacked cinder blocks and sheet metal shelves to spread out the oysters. Wet towels hold in the heat, to steam them nicely.

With a couple hundred indulging people waiting, roasting is closely monitored and quickly moved to the tables.

A homemade barbecue oven does a great job. Here Eric Anglin and Ronnie unload a heavy sheet pan for delivery to some hungry connoisseurs.

Like all community roasts, it’s a feeding frenzy that brings people together for a great time.

Until next time… Bon Appétit!

 

Happy Halloween

This time of year, skeletons are everywhere. In 2019 during a regional 4-city concert tour, I followed Lord Huron. In each show, frontman Ben Schneider performed his song Wait by the River behind a larger-than-life puppet. I made this shot from the pit, at their performance in Richmond, Virginia’s National Theater.