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A Daily News Service of the North Carolina Coastal Federation

Slow-motion takeoff

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A blue heron takes flight from an oyster bed at low tide near Russell Creek in Carteret County. Photo: Dylan Ray

Featured Image

A great blue heron takes flight from an oyster bed at low tide near Russell Creek in Carteret County. These large birds, often called cranes, walk and beat their wings slowly and can be found near all kinds of waters all over North America, according to the Audubon Field Guide. Photo: Dylan Ray

About Dylan Ray

Dylan Baker Ray was raised in Greenville. His love for photojournalism began in high school where Ray worked as a photographer and cartoonist for to the school paper. After receiving a degree in photojournalism at Randolf Technical Institute, he moved to the Crystal Coast to become the chief photographer and eventually photo editor during his 15 years at the Carteret County News-Times. He has accrued more than 20 North Carolina Press Association awards in photojournalism and continues his work documenting and preserving the residents and their lives along the Southern Outer Banks. He lives in Beaufort with his wife and daughters.

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North Carolina Press AssociationWinner of seven North Carolina Press Association awards in 2024.