This week, Protected Places Media released its first in a series of iBooks, Protected Places: The Outer Banks. The iBook is a Nature guide to the refuges, parks and preserves of the Outer Banks (OBX) and Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula of North Carolina. All of the images in this article are from the iBook and were photographed by the author, Ernie Sears.
If you are planning to spend time at the Outer Banks, are interested in exploring more than the beach, and want to experience one or more of the many natural locations in the area, then this iBook will ensure you have that experience. Every nature park, refuge, preserve and trail in the Outer Banks area is included. Examples of what is described in the book follows.
- A dune system that is never crowded and second in size only to Jockey’s Ridge
- The best place to see bears and other wildlife
- The best locations for sunsets and sunrises
- Where you can see wildlife without leaving your car
- Nature trails from easy to difficult, but worth the effort
- World class birding hotspots
For every location, the iBook provides information about available facilities, hours, fees, handicap access, pet policies, websites, trails and directions. Every location was visited and photographed by Ernie Sears. The book covers over 40 locations, some of which are identified below.
- Currituck NWR
- Mackay Island NWR
- Currituck Coastal Reserve
- Kitty Hawk Woods
- Sandy Run Park
- Nags Head Woods
- Run Hill Natural Area
- Jockey’s Ridge
- Oregon Inlet
- Pea Island NWR
- Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve
- Alligator River NWR
- Mattamuskeet NWR
- Palmetto-Peartree Preserve
- Gull Rock Reserve
- Swanquarter NWR
Every page of the book includes some of Ernie’s stunning, high-quality images taken at each of the locations. The book also includes maps, active website links, and animations and pop-ups that add interest and clarity.
Protected Places Media (PPM) was established as a creator and distributor of books, video, photography and apps related to exploring, understanding and appreciating the natural world. PPM was founded by Ernie Sears, a close friend and talented artist and photographer. Ernie wrote Protected Places: The Outer Banks and has other similar books underway.
Ernie asked me to join PPM and to participate in ongoing and future projects. I am excited about this opportunity, and I will join Ernie next week as we explore and document the Low Country of South Carolina and Georgia. By sharing our appreciation for and experiences in the natural world, PPM hopes to inspire others to equally appreciate our fragile natural environment and, ultimately, help or support local, state and national efforts to restore and protect wildlife habitat for future generations.
To obtain a copy of Protected Places: The Outer Banks, you can download it from the Apple iBook Store or from the Protected Places Media website at http://www.protectedplacesmedia.com/index.html
