If you look closely, you will see a man and his dog “in the middle of the water.” The Chesapeake Bay is filled with sand bars and natural jetties. In fact, container ships require Chesapeake Bay Pilots to help them navigate the shallow waters of the Chesapeake (Chess-A-Peak) Bay.
Man & his dog on a sandbar in the Lynnhaven River
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the contiguous United States. Legend has it that when Jamestown was founded (on the aptly named James River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay), settlers could see their anchors at the bottom, much like the Caribbean. However, agricultural run off, “gray run off” from paved Earth and excessive Oyster harvesting have made the Bay’s waters murky. The most clear the water is now, it seems, is in the winter months and that stops after just a few inches.
Oyster Reef on the Lynnhaven River
Even with its present conditions, the Bay is a beauty to behold. I was reminded of this last week when I chaperoned a field trip with my daughter to release oyster babies that she and her classmates (really, her teacher) nursed in the Lynnhaven River. As Oyster Reefs help to keep the bay clean, many local classrooms work with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation & The Lynnhaven River Now Project to help restore the Bay. On the trip, I learned that the population of the filter feeders is just 1% of historically known levels.
Raised Oysters, their permanent home within walking distance of where they were raised
DDT has also negatively impacted the Bay. It was banned commercially in the 1980’s. At that time there were virtually no Osprey, Bald Eagles or Brown Pelicans. Now it rare to not see Osprey or Brown Pelicans on an outing in the summer months. Bald Eagles continue to be somewhat rare to spot, however, with each passing year I see more and more.
Dolphins also spend time in the brackish waters of the Bay. While on our boating trip outside of the Lynnhaven Inlet, we spotted a large pod of them. You’ll just need to trust me on that one! They were too far away for the camera to capture… Though, look! Here is a sting ray that was caught in the drag net we used to capture fish. Croaker, Spot and a Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab (the tastiest crabs in the world, IMHO) were also netted. All captured creatures were returned to their home in the Bay.
The Ray kept us from capturing many fish.
The Ray’s stinger/barb
Later, more crabs were retrieved from the crab pots. All were Sallies and Sooks. You can see the orange sponge-like material in several of their abdomens, these are their eggs.
The students were taught how to hold the crabs without getting pinched.
Appropriate image for my daughter, a Cancer…
The Pirate Blackbeard use to hide his ships in these waters, as the tall pines would camouflage his tall masts, allowing him to surprise merchant vessels. A sister city celebrates the Blackbeard Festival annually. Ironically, this same city was where his trial and hanging occurred. We saw this interesting vessel while in Broad Bay, reminiscent of Blackbeard’s legacy.
It was an interesting and informative trip for me and it was a beautiful day to be on the Bay. The day before was filled with squalls & the next day with heavy bands of rain from the remnants of a tropical storm.
It was nice to connect with my daughter and learn new things while enjoying the Bay and the beauty of the day. It was a good reminder to enjoy life as it comes, you never know what tomorrow will bring and yesterday is already gone. At times during the trip I was overcome with emotions of joy and gratitude. Damn, I miss boating!
The Brock Center. New Headquarters for The Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The Deck at The Brock Center
The Lynnhaven River
A wonderful read about where you live. Beautiful photos, too!
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Thank you! I’ve grown to love it. Use to hate it!
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Those are beautiful pictures! I’m glad you got to have a day of fun with your daughter!
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Thank you! Yes, I was also very grateful. I hope you’re feeling better, Vic! ❤️❤️
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I am actually. WP love has made me feel pretty good. 🙂 ❤
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So glad to hear, that’s heartwarming!
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Thank you for sharing such an amazing day. And your knowledge and history of the bay. A really, really good read,
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Thank you, Ken! Glad you enjoyed it.
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I don’t miss Virginia Beach, but this made me smile. Thank you, Tiffany.
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I use to hate it here, too. Now I miss it when I travel and feel at home again when I return…. Seeing it as if for the first time. Sigh. I’ve tried to leave in the past. Now I’m happy to stay 😬
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Like other places, I enjoy the land, but the people rubbed me the wrong way. I enjoyed getting out to Pungo or Williamsburg. Plus the concerts in Portsmouth were always cool.
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Sorry to hear about the people. I can see that. I’m selective about where I go and when for that reason. My tribe makes that easy.
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See, I never found my tribe. That’s an important cog in the machine, even for a hermit like me! 😃
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Yes, most in the tribe are introverts, so we understand that need to be hermits, too. Hope you have one in FL!
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Yes, the tribe is much stronger down here.
PS – I recently wrote a rough little something with a girl & a jeep. It made me laugh when you talked about yours. I need to clean it up before I post it.
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before you clean it up too much, I want to read it! I know it’s not about me, yet I’d live to read it. Gmail it to me at tiffanybeingfree, please! 😈
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Sent!
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Loved it, Casey!
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Awesome! Maybe I’ll have to post it then!
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Yes, do!
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Thank you for your support, Tiffany! 😃
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Oh Tiff, this is fabulous. I love learning this stuff. I’m glad you had such a wonderful day. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Rita! Glad you enjoyed it!
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Loved it
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❤️
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Missing the Chesapeake Bay, but hoping to be your neighbor up river soon once Master and i are finally living together. 💜
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Nice! Hope this unfolds for you, soon!
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Tiffany, this is such a beautiful post. How special to connect with your daughter and rediscover the beauty of the bay and your old backyard. It really is about appreciating each and every moment of life isn’t it. If I in any way inspired this, wow, that makes me happy 🙂 Hugs xo
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Miriam, you definitely inspired this! Glad you enjoyed it!
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I did. Sounds like you had an amazing experience and I’m so glad you embraced it. Have a wonderful weekend my friend ♥
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Thank you, Miriam!
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It looks like an amazing and beautiful place to live! We have family in that area and spent a week there a few years ago. It was awesome.
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Kay, it can be!
Next time you’re in town, let me know!
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That’s so sweet! I will.
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Please do!
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great
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Thank you!
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[…] realm and return to the traffic scenario. With each level that we moved downwards beneath the Chesapeake Bay, the more the red tail lights reflected off the walls and ceiling as far as the eye could see. No […]
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