COLUMBIA, N.C. — Last week we explored Columbia, North Carolina. Just off U.S. 64, heading to the Outer Banks is a welcome center. Beside the center is the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Run by the federal government, the small center offers a look at local wildlife at its welcome center. Head toward the water, and you’ll find yourself on a wet wooden boardwalk winding for a little over a half mile into the marshes and wetlands.

The boardwalk has many signs pointing out wildlife and different things about the area.

On a side note, there is also a kayak dock at the center that goes into the Scuppernong River. It is a river that flows through Tyrrell County and Washington County, North Carolina, into the Albemarle Sound. The water is black in color, meaning you can’t see the bottom. It gives the river area a mirror-like effect, reflecting the nature above the water.

This time, I explored with Mountain Kids 2 and 3, who are a lot more observant of small things. On another side note, the area has so many Pokemon Go! stops and gyms that the welcome center has several caution signs warning trainers to be aware of their surroundings.

All of these photos were taken with an iPhone 7.

 

 

A five-lined skink gets some sun on the boardwalk at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Flowers from the boardwalk at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
A dragonfly sits on a thorny, dead branch sticking out of the mud.
A blue dragonfly is perched on a flower stem.
A cypress tree branch at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Mountain Kid 2 and 3 actually get along sometimes, especially when nature is involved.
Some fungus grows in a wooden railing along the boardwalk at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
The view from the boardwalk shows the black water of the Scuppernong River. It is a blackwater river that flows through Tyrrell County and Washington County, North Carolina, into the Albemarle Sound.