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On Saturday, I did a shoot for Mt. Victoria Gardens in Southern Maryland to show their huge selection of flowers, vegetables and herbs that they are growing for the 2018 season - these plants are as anxious to see spring as we are!
In early February, I went out oyster dredging with Leon McMann (87) and Ed Parks (83) - the two oldest working waterman on Tangier Island. I had shot a portrait of Leon and and photographed him crab scraping for a story that I did in the summer of 2016 for Anglers Journal magazine. I called Leon the night prior to ask about going dredging with him and Ed, he was reluctant to have me onboard during the winter with the condition of his old wooden workboat 'Betty Jane'. I understood his concerns, but assured him that "I have been out on worse boats in worse weather" I also knew the other boats working the same area would be there in case of emergency.
I met Leon and Ed at the dock the next morning and they headed the southeast of the island to 'Area 1' near Tangier Light. This wild harvest area is opened every other year by the state of Virginia. They arrived to the 'rock' just as the sun was breaking the horizon and put the dredges overboard. Leon and Ed were right in the mix with the fifteen boats in the fleet. After a good 'lick' of oysters, they would casually throw a marker off the boat and work around it. By mid day, after dozens of loads were dumped onto the culling table, Leon decided to call it quits. He had 11 bushels in the boat, five short of the sixteen bushel limit, but him and Ed were content with the day's work.
Leon pointed the bow of the 'Betty Jane' to the Northwest and headed back to the island. The bay's last working buyout -'Delvin K' - was waiting for their arrival. Mickey Daly and the crew of the 'Delvin K' helped Leon and Ed hoist their oysters from the box-stern workboat onto the deck of the buyboat. After unloading, I transferred my gear to the buyboat and rode with them to Reedville where they met a crew of laborers from a shucking house to unload the boat.
Amber Leigh and Elizabeth Ashby dredging for oysters at first light near Tangier Light in 'Area 1'
Leon McMann runs the workboat Betty Jane - named after his late wife.
Leon McMann emptying the bag of the dredge.
Ed Parks taking a rest in between licks of the dredge.
Red Beard sponge is a vibrantly colored sponge that grows on oysters, rocks and other hard substrate. The filter feeder thrives in the higher salinity waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Hard Clams caught as by-catch while dredging on 'Area 1'
After judging the 2018 Maryland Duck Stamp competition yesterday at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, I took a ride down the Bishops Head peninsula. 90 year-old, Donald Mills, was in his yard working on a pound net and other watermen were working on their boats in preparation for the 2018 crabbing season. The recent wind and cold weather has made it difficult to work outdoors. In the forecast for this coming week is another nor'easter and cold weather. March 2018 came in like a lion - we are certainly paying for warm February now.
John Holitik of Crocheron, Maryland preparing to finish painting the 'boot-stripe' on his workboat Ticky - Poo.
Robert Holitik removes paint from his workboat, Annalise - Lillian, in preparation for fiberglassing.
Donald Mills of Bishops Head is a retired waterman. At 90 years old, he is making pound nets for other watermen in Dorchester County. This pound net is being made for Hoopers Island waterman, Justin Aaron.
Tools used by Donald Mills while working on pound nets.
Annapolis, Maryland – Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park will host Local Annapolis photographer, Jay Fleming, in a rotating exhibit in the Museum’s Bay Room and gallery.
Fleming’s photographs creates a visual narrative of the lives of those individuals whose livelihood is directly dependent upon the Chesapeake Bay. His work is comprised of photographs of seasoned watermen, scenic seascapes, weathered workboats and bay bounty — a true and complete depiction of Chesapeake Bay life. Equal parts informative and aesthetically pleasing, Fleming’s authentic photographs are relevant to the history buff, the biologist, the photography fan, and the Chesapeake Bay lover alike. The exhibit includes pieces from Jay’s first book, “Working the Water,” and his forthcoming book “Island Life,” highlighting adventures on the Chesapeake Bay.
The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on March 22nd from 5:30 to 7:00 in the evening. Jay will be signing books and telling stories about his work on the Chesapeake Bay. Local beer and oysters will be provided complimentary to guests of the reception. All of the artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park. Free admission to the exhibit opening and to the exhibit during museum hours.
“Given the subject matter of Jay’s work, we thought that there was no more appropriate a place for an exhibit of his works than the Annapolis Maritime Museum. We are thrilled to host this exhibit and consider it a seamless extension of our exhibits”
- About Annapolis Maritime Museum -
The Annapolis Maritime Museum educates youth and adults about the Annapolis area's rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits and community events. Founded in 1990, the Annapolis Maritime Museum has two unique campuses, the McNasby Oyster Company Building and the Park campus off Edgewood Road, both located on Back Creek in Annapolis.
The Education Center at the Annapolis Maritime Museum annually serves more than 8,000 students from the City of Annapolis and the surrounding region. The goal is foster a connection to the Chesapeake Bay and a link their local culture and history through an engaging suite of hands on programming.
Contact: M.K. Richardson development@amaritime.org 410.295.0104 x3
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