2023 was a unique year that will likely be remembered for a long list of milestone events and unusual stories. From the spring Rodanthe home collapse to the fall arrival of pink flamingos, (with plenty of big events and projects in between), here is a roundup of the photos that captured our attention in a year full of eye-grabbing headlines.
A late January 2023 storm brings some chilly waves for local surfers.Miss Katie arrives in Hatteras Village in late January 2023. Photo by EJE Dredging Service.Hundreds flock to Oden’s Dock for the annual February Oyster Roast. Image from Rory Kelleher.The Miss Katie in Hatteras on March 10 after completing a dredging project in Hatteras Inlet. Photo by Joy Crist.
The Rodanthe Home collapse on March 13. Photo by Joy CristRodanthe shoreline on March 15. Photo by Don Bowers.Collecting debris after the March home collapse. Photo by Cape Hatteras National SeashoreThe Oscar Meyer Weinermobile pays a visit to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Photo by Kim IveyWork begins to carefully disassemble the Fresnel Lens from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum renovation. Photo by Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.A Rodanthe house fire in April 2023. Photo by Joy CristPhoto by Bryan Knicely of Ohio, who was staying across the street when the April fire occurred.The first sea turtle nest of the 2023 season was on May 12 on Ocracoke Island. NPS photo/ A. WalkerA loggerhead sea turtle surveys the crowd at a May 2023 public sea turtle release. Photo by Joy Crist.The 200th Anniversary of the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse is celebrated in May. Photo by Joy Crist.The 200th Anniversary of the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse is celebrated in May. Photo by Joy Crist.A backhoe and crane are used to dislodge a grounded vessel from the water in June. Photo by Don Bowers.Alexa Lyne, NPS Scientist in Parks intern, shows the tracks of the first leatherback sea turtle to nest on Ocracoke Island in 11 years in June. Photo by Cape Hatteras National Seashore4th of July Fireworks off the Avon Pier. Photo by Don Bowers.Ocracoke’s annual 4th of July Sandcastle Contest. Photo by Iconic Ocracoke.A tribute to the Frisco UFO at the annual 4th of July Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade. Photo by Hatteras Village.Ernie Foster speaks at a July ceremony to celebrate the installation of a new weather tower at the Hatteras Village Weather Station. Photo by John Havel.A historic Lyle gun is installed on the museum front porch during the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum’s renovation project. Photo by Joy Crist.A public sea turtle release event in July. Photo by Joy Crist.The 1901 Island Inn renovation project on Ocracoke Island in July. Photo by Joy Crist.An August Rocket launch over the Rodanthe Pier. Photo by Sally Jo HansonA baby green sea turtle is shared with the crowd at an August sea turtle nest excavation. Photo by Joy Crist.Rodanthe on August 31 during Hurricane Idalia. Photo by Don Bowers.N.C. Highway 12 in between Frisco and Hatteras during Hurricane Idalia on August 31. Photo by CHNS.Pink Flamingos on Pea Island appeared in early September after Hurricane Idalia. Photo by Jeff Lewis.The Pink Flamingos of Pea Island. Photo by Jeff Lewis.Buxton Beach Access on Old Lighthouse Road on September 1, 2023, after Tropical Storm Idalia. The storm uncovered remnants of the old Navy Base and closed the beach. Photo by CHNSHonoring the fallen of 9/11. Photo by Joy CristAn empty canal in soundside Avon during Hurricane Ophelia in September. Photo from Antoinette Gaskins.View from the Rodanthe Pier on September 23 during Hurricane Ophelia. Photo by Brad Hanson.Rodanthe during Hurricane Ophelia. Photo from Hatteras Island Community Emergency Response TeamLooking towards the Jug Handle Bridge in north Rodanthe during Hurricane Ophelia, with the Pappy’s Lane Shipwreck exposed. Photo by Rick Shaftan.The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station reenactment team at the Wood Island Life-Saving Station in Maine. Photo from John Griffin.The team hauls the beach cart along the rocky Maine coast. Photo from John Griffin.While Day at the Docks was canceled in 2023, the youth fishing tournament was held in October. Photo by Don Bowers.Annual Blessing of the Fleet in October. Photo by Don Bowers.White pelicans arrive at Pea Island in October. Photo by Karen LebingAn October 25 Open House event celebrates the new Island Inn Commons in Ocracoke. Photo by Iconic OcracokeGroundbreaking of the first portion of the Frisco Village pathway in October. Photo by Frisco Woods Campground.A sailboat grounds near Pea Island in November. Photo by Chicamacomico Banks Volunteer Fire Department.Photo by Matthew Stankovich.Two homes in Rodanthe are purposely demolished in November before they can collapse into the ocean. Photo by Brad HansonPhoto by Joy Crist.Photo by Brad HansonGroundbreaking for the new Cape Hatteras Lighthouse pathway in November. Photo by Joy Crist.Annual Hatteras Christmas Parade. Photo by Don Bowers.Annual Hatteras Christmas Parade. Photo by Don Bowers.The Carolina Sweaters, (with organizer Barry Wells), performs at the Shuck Hatteras festival in December. Photo by Joy Crist.Kids have fun at the Shuck Hatteras festival in December. Photo by Joy Crist.Rodanthe on Monday afternoon, after a pre-Christmas coastal storm. Photo by Brad Hanson
