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Thanks to Terry Plowman and the staff at Delaware Beach Life magazine for submitting my work into the Delaware Press Association's 2018 Communications Contest. 'A Hard-Shell Life' was awarded first place in the Photographer-Writer category. The photo-essay highlighted the commercial fisheries for Blue Crabs, Oysters, Striped Bass, Horseshoe Crabs and Whelk in the Delaware Bay.
'A Hard-Shell Life' featured on the cover of the September 2018 issue of Delaware Beach Life
Chesapeake Bay photographer Jay Fleming has taken stunning— and haunting— pictures of the Bay’s smallest communities. He’s been given rare intimate access to Smith and Tangier Islands, shedding light on the rising water and shrinking land that threaten the residents of those islands.
At Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Winter Lecture Series on February 7th, 2019. Hundreds of people turned out to hear Fleming’s insider perspective, and to see his stunning photos.
Fleming, who is also a contributing photographer to Chesapeake Bay Magazine, shares what drives his projects with Bay Bulletin’s Cheryl Costello.
A few pictures from the February 7th Winter lecture by Ken Tom, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park's event photographer! Thanks again to everyone who came out to the Winter Lecture Series to see my first lecture on my forthcoming book, 'Island Life'.
The museum has a rotating exhibit of my photographs from both 'Working the Water' and 'Island Life' hanging on the walls of the Bay Room. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday.
While in Dorchester County on February 3rd, I came across a father and son team trapping the marshes of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Robert Elzey is a fifth generation trapper and his son, Matthew is carrying the winter tradition onto the sixth generation. I sparked up conversation with the two of them and eventually invited myself into the fur shed at their house where they were skinning the days catch. Their hospitality and willingness to share experiences and give a brief glimpse into their way of life was incredibly generous.
The furs are sold to a buyer from New Jersey and from there they will go to a tannery and ultimately sold to markets in Asia. The domestic demand for furs has diminished over the last three decades and has had a negative impact on the price. A top quality pelt may only bring the trapper four to five dollars. The meats are sold locally on the Eastern Shore and are considered a delicacy in some circles. Muskrat meats fetch around three dollars each. This season has been productive for Robert and Matthew, the record rainfall helped the breeding success of the ‘rats’ - They expect to harvest around 2,000 before the end of the season.
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