The Official Sign

The official sign welcoming you into the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Nags Head, North Carolina.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

The Bodie Island Lighthouse, on Bodie Island, within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Built in 1872, this lighthouse has its original first order Fresnal lens. (NPS)

Standing Tall

The Bodie Island Lighthouse on Bodie Island within the National Park Services Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Bodie Island Lighthouse, a brick lighthouse, stands at 164.4 feet tall. (NPS)

Looking Towards the Atlantic

The Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as it faces the marshes behind the sand dunes and finally, the Atlantic Ocean.

Trail to the Top

The main entrance to the Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as you ascend to the top of the lighthouse. There are 214 steps on the spiral staircase within, elevating you 156 feet to the lens deck. (NPS)

Front & Center

The front facade of the Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is the main entrance to the lighthouse that takes you to the staircase leading to the top. This lighthouse is distinguished by its unique black & white stripe paint design. (NPS)

The Guardian

The Bodie Island Lighthouse standing vigilant in the Bodie Island marsh as the sun rises above it. The nearby dangerous shifting nearshore caused hundreds of shipwrecks. The US Congress commissioned a lighthouse to aid mariners in navigating this "Graveyard of the Atlantic". (NPS)

Standing Alone in the Marsh

The Bodie Island Lighthouse (along with its keepers house) is one of the only (or few) structures on Bodie Island. It towers above the marshes to touch the sky it shines its light upon.

Morning Gold

As seen from the Marsh platform a short distance away, the Bodie Island Lighthouse takes on the golden rays of light from the morning sun as it rises above the Atlantic to start the day.

The Morning Glow

The Bodie Island Lighthouse basking in its early morning glow as the sun rises from the Atlantic Ocean. This lighthouse is actually the third lighthouse built in the area. The first was built in 1848, was 57 feet tall and was razed due to disrepair. The second was built in 1859 and was 90 feet tall, but was blown up by Confederate troops during the civil war in 1861. (NPS)

Light in the Night

The Bodie Island Lighthouse at night as its beacon shines bright upon the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This lighthouse can be distinguished at sea by the lights repeating flash pattern of 2.5 seconds on, 2.5 seconds off, and 22.5 seconds off. (NPS)

The Shining Light

The Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, from the boardwalk leading to the marshes in front of it. Light pollution is almost non existent, allowing the galactic core to shine above the lighthouse.

The Light Above Us

The Bodie Island Lighthouse at night on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Milky Way shines brightly, along with the lighthouses beacon light as seen from the Bodie Island marsh boardwalk.

Bodie Island After Dark

The Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on a moonless night as the universe displays all its stars as a backdrop. The light from the Bodie Island Lighthouse can be seen from 19 miles away. Lighthouses are spaced about 40 miles apart, allowing for a near continuous.view by sea farers navigating these dangerous off shore waters. (NPS)

Morning Marsh

Nautical sunrise on the Bodie Island marsh on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Marsh Reflections

The Bodie Island Marsh during morning the nautical sunrise as the light reflects off the gathering clouds.

Rising Over the Marsh

The sun rising over the Bodie Island Marsh on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Morning on Bodie Island

The morning glow of the Bodie Island Marsh as the sun rises above the horizon of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore,

Bodie Island Marsh

The marsh in front of the Bodie Island Lighthouse along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Beyond this marsh is North Carolina Highway 12, sand dunes, and then the Atlantic Ocean. This marsh is full of wildlife such as small crab and other fish, as well as numerous shore birds such as egrets, ibis, and gulls.

On the Hunt for Breakfast

A White Ibis hunting for ghost crab in the Bodie Island Marsh, on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, just after sunrise.

Ghost Crab Breakfast

A White Ibis having a ghost crab for breakfast at the Bodie Island Marsh on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, shortly after sunrise.

The Breakfast Bunch

White Ibis's congregating in the Bodie Island Marsh hunting for their breakfast just after sunrise on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

A View at the Top

Visitors taking in the view of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore from atop the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.