by Alan Trammel
(Nags Head Fishing Pier)

Lighthouses, piers, ocean sunrises, sound sunsets and miles of breathtaking landscapes, it’s no wonder why photographers flock to the Outer Banks. My annual year end expedition to the Outer Banks was a great opportunity to put my newly acquired Nikon D850 through the paces at some of my favorite Outer Banks landmarks.
Gear
- Nikon D850
- Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (non VR)
- Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
- Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED
- Kirk L-Bracket
- Vanguard Alta Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with Vanguard ABH-340K Head
- Cokin Z-Pro Series Filter Holder
- Cokin Z-Pro Series Filter Holder Adapter Ring (77mm)
- Singh-Ray 100 x 150mm ND-3 Stop Filter
- Singh-Ray 100 x 150mm Galen Rowell ND-3G-SS Graduated Neutral Density Filter.
- Think Tank Photo Street Walker V2.0 Backpack
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
104 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on Shallowbag Bay in Manteo, North Carolina is often overlooked because of its small stature. This gem is tucked away at the quiet east end of the Manteo waterfront. I love the character of this screw-pile lighthouse where sunrises never seem to disappoint.

Bodie Island Lighthouse
8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head, NC 27959
Located just south of Nags Head the Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced “Body”) is a cornerstone of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The 156 ft. lighthouse is surrounded by a wide grassy lawn and a mixture of marshlands, maritime forest and small saltwater ponds. A boardwalk that leads to a viewing platform is a popular destination for nature lovers and bird watchers.

Whalehead Club
1100 Club Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
The Historic Whalehead Club is an icon of the northern Outer Banks. Set on 39 pristine acres along the Currituck Sound in Historic Corolla, the Whalehead is a beautifully restored 1920s-era Art Nouveau-style mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 21,000 square-foot home is a popular destination for weddings and special events.

(Whalehead Club Wooden Bridge)

Jennette’s Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959
Jennette’s Pier was all but destroyed in 2003 when hurricane Isabel knocked off 540 feet of the pier. The North Carolina Aquariums bought and renovated the pier with a $25 million dollar restoration. The pier was expanded to 1000 feet with hurricane-resistant concrete pilings. The pier house was completely renovated too, and it features a tackle shop and educational center.

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3335 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959
Weathered wood, rusty bolts and leaning piles all come to mind when I think of a fishing pier and Nags Head Fishing Pier is as authentic as they come. This 750 foot pier is one of the oldest and longest surviving piers on the barrier island.
