FROOT ... is the name of sparkling white
leaves which flower profusely during the
summer months along the shores of the Trent.
I Scenic Backwaters
Along Trent River
^REFLECTIONS . . . from poles that formerly supported a
"small pier waver in gently moving water.
** ? itaim' H? ?~~
Vantage
Point
A FINE VANTAGE POINT . . . This newly constructed
enclosed platform at the end of a pier affords an excellent
vantage point of a lovely vista of water plants, shrubs and
trees. A lone red-wing blackbird, one of a large flock chattering
in nearby cypress trees, perches on the platform rail, perhaps
to get away from the noise of his compatriots.
At the southern boundary of the historic town of New Bern,
the water of Trent River empties into the broad flow of the
Neuse River. In contrast to the blue-gray waters of the Neuse,
the waters of the Trent are dark, its movement almost
imperceptible except when a storm ruffles the surface or
motor boats leave a temporary wake.
Along the shores of the Trent in New Bern and for several
miles upstream on both sides of the river, the area abounds in
numerous small backwaters, canals and inlets that terminate ?
in quiet circles or crescents of still water. At points of easy
accessibility in these areas, docks and piers have been
constructed through the years. A number of these have been
abandoned, but support piles in numerous instances have
remained standing, adding weather darkened vertical lines to
the structure of the surrounding landscape.
Whatever the season, these miniature lagoon-like bodies of
water are encircled by green. In winter the evergreen colors
of pine, myrtle and pin oaks are interspersed with the browns
of dead marsh grasses and cattails and the grays of bare
branched maple and white oak. ,
I
In spring, the vegetation takes on a wider spectrum of
green as cypress, willow and maple frees show their new
leaves.
<
?
By the time June arrives, the dense vegetation on the
shores of the dark waters burst into a festival of moisture
loving flowers ? white man-root morning glories that furl
closed in the heat of the day, lavender spikes among the large !
waxy leaves of pickerel weeds, and the most delicate of all,
the pale pink petals of swamp roses on bushes that often
reach a height of 12 feet or more.
Dragonflies, iridescent blue, bronze, gray or black, hover in
the air like nature's helicopters, and water bugs dart ,
erratically across the still water. From time to time a fish 1
breaks the surface of the water in pursuit of a tasty insect
meal.
Red-wing blackbirds chatter in trees, then on signal dash to
another site, displaying in flight brilliant splashes or scarlet.
Martins and swallows swoop and dive in long, graceful arcs
over the water, while blue jays call in strident song.
These are seductive, secluded areas, favorite places for
local residents who know the small paths that lead to the
water. Here they can relax with a cane pole for an hour or
two of bank fishing, or wind their way through the intricate
pattern of inter-connected waterways on a motorless
flat-bottom boat.
HOPING FOR A GOOD CATCH This trio of local New Bern
residents expressed high hope for a good catch of perch as they
readied their gear to pull away from shore on a flat-bottomed
boat. A thick stand of pickerel weed grows along the shore in
the foreground The attractive purple flower spikes of this
water-loving wildflower blooms during the summer months
Text And Photographs
By Jerry Raynor
| A Place
Of Beauty
A HIDDEN PLACE OF BEAUTY ... The upright timbers of
an abandoned pier complex add an architectural note to this
tranquil place of beauty in which varied shades of green are
l
mmmummmmnmr .mni IWI? avM^nem~
provided by myrtle, cypress, marsh grass, and water oak
Numerous backwater scenes similar to this one can be
discovered along the shores on both sides of the Trent River.
THE DUCK POTATO .. shown here growing
in a clump beneath overhanging green myrtle,
is a common marsh flower found in streams.
canals and ditches of the coastal plain of
Eastern North Carolina