Bidding Farewell to the Bay!

Scenes like this will be missed! 

My parents’ home is (guess I should say "was") right on the Chesapeake Bay has always been a treat for this shutterbug.  The location is in what is called the Northern Neck part of the Commonwealth of Virginia near Kilmarnock and Wicomico Church. 

Chesapeake Bay Birding (and One Easter Bunny)

Easter time was our first getaway trip since a visit to Hilton Head last summer. It was nice to take in some different scenery (even Pedro at South of the Border!) and great to see family again. The Virginia side of the Chesapeake Bay, where my parents live, is a pretty, quiet place with opportunities to satisfy my inner birder. 

At the folks’ house, I need to go no farther than their backyard to see this Osprey platform. It has been here for years and my father had a hand in getting it erected. During this visit, a family of Osprey was in residence. The parents were still working on the nest. A few times I saw one swoop down to a nearby yard to grab a branch or twig. Pinecones could also be seen on the structure, though as my father noted they wouldn’t be too comfortable as bedding for the big birds. 

It is always challenging to shoot from a great distance and to get good shots of birds in flight. Here are my best  images...

December Virginia Trip Photos

We drove to Virginia last week to see my parents at their beautiful home on the Chesapeake Bay. Here is a collection of photographs I took from the road and around the Northern Neck of the Old Dominion.

“The Leaning Tower of Pedro” at South of the Border, Dillon, South Carolina 

Bountiful Bay Beauty

The Chesapeake Bay Northern Neck part of Virginia where my parents live is a great place for photography. I always come back home with nice new images. Sometimes, during winter visits, the pictures feature snow, which we very rarely see in South Carolina.

Here are some favorites from my most recent visit. See also the two bird-related posts that precede this one. One features Ospreys, the other Barn Swallows.

Bay Barn Swallows a Challenge to Capture

Capture on "film" that is. Yes these small birds are really fast as they dart through the sky, skim the water and dive under a dock in their pursuit of bugs to eat.

While photographing the Ospreys seen in my previous post near my parents' house on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia another feathered friend caught my eye. I had no success trying to focus on one in flight and get its picture.  So then I got smarter and focused on a section of dock where the birds would occasionally fly.

I set my camera to burst mode and started firing away- click, click, click- when a few of the birds looked like they would go under the dock.

Alas, I had some success. I was determined in this effort because I thought this bird with a forked tail may be a first-time "lifer" bird for me.

A Spree of Ospreys

A fun thing about bird and nature photography is the unexpected encounters and opportunities. Such was the case Sunday during a visit to my parents’ house on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. In the afternoon I walked around the area near the house.

At nearby Crane’s Creek I saw an Osprey nesting platform. It was closer to land than others I had seen.

As I first tried to take some photos, the Osprey flew away, but not far away. It circled around and eventually settled back on the nest. I had walked away, hoping the it would return. Trying to be less visible behind a tree, I was then able to take these photos. It wasn’t until later after transferring the pictures to my iPad that I found what a busy nest Momma Osprey was tending.

Chesapeake Bay Sunrise, Cloudscapes, Boats and More!

It's always worth getting up extra early when there's a chance to capture a sunrise!

At 5:30 a.m. on May 28 I was outside on my parents' back porch, which overlooks the Chesapeake Bay near Wicomico Church, Va.

I had my camera, actually three cameras: my Canon SX50, iPad and iPhone 7. "Just because" is the only reason for this camera over kill, I suppose.

A cup of hot instant coffee helped clear the early morning cobwebs.

Chesapeake Bay Sunrise

Getting out of bed and outside are easier when you know views like these await! 

Our August visit to my parents house on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia was quite a contrast to our visit in December when it was freezing with lots of snow on the ground. I posted winter sunrise photos.

In August it was, as expected, plenty hot and humid but not so much at 6/6:30 when I took these.

That's an Osprey nest above and the bird also known as the "Fish Hawk" flying in the middle. In the photo below, a working boat gets an early morning start.  What a view the crew must have!

Below: A closer look at that Osprey nest.  You can just see the mother's head to the left of her mate who would fly away when I get any closer. No fear! Ospreys are one of my favorite birds. 

The photo below was taken as daybreak was just starting to break!

Eight minutes later, this beautfiul scene!

Sunrise brings a new day to the marina.

Somehow I resisted the desire to snatch an apple off this tree. 

Plenty of Peter Cottontails out this early in the morning.

Saw this boat, the Miss Ann, and thought of my sister Ann.  Hi Ann if you see this!

Thanks Mom and Dad for another great visit to your beautiful house and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.