Rita and I had the opportunity to be part of a photo workshop run by Irene Hinke-Sacilotto of
Osprey Photo Workshops on Tangier Island, Virginia. This workshop started just 3 days after we got home from our "Polar Bear Safari" photo workshop with
Churchill Wild in Far Northern Manitoba (that's another story entirely)...we got back to Monkton late Tuesday, got unpacked, clothes washed, house squared away and pulled out of the driveway early Friday morning, Sept 21 to head for Crisfield, Maryland and the boat to Tangier Island.
Just driving into Crisfield, you start to get the sense that you are in a different part of the world! This is the quintessential 'small town Eastern Shore'. We are the last of our small group of 10 to arrive at the Ferry Landing with about 15 minutes to spare...We have to move quickly to get our gear out of the car, parked and ready to take the ferry to Tangier...As we are loading, I realize that I've left the bag that has my computer and all the connectors for uploading images and editing for the weekend photo reviews Irene has planned...The ferry folks say I have time, so a run to the car retrieves that needed bag and we are off, across the Chesapeake Bay and an hour's ride to Tangier Island.
We are off...the ferry is fully loaded with people and luggage...Photographers carry a LOT of gear, so our personal luggage is the least of the baggage for this weekend trip...we are carrying a big Think Tank roller bag crammed with three bodies and all the lenses I could fit it, two 'field bags' for our daily work on Tangier and the accessories bag that has the computer, two iPads and a bunch of connectors and chargers in it...whew...Rita always tells me I don't anything that doesn't have a lot of parts and is HEAVY...I deliver on that statement this trip...
Almost exactly an hour to Tangier Island...as the island comes into our view it is clear that we've been transported across the Chesapeake...and transported back to a time that is long-past...it really feels like the 1950's...maybe even earlier...All that's missing is the old cars (like in Havana, Cuba)...
The distinctive Tangier Island water tower comes into view first...
Then we are surrounded by the crab shacks of the Watermen who still work from the island.
And, the boats...and crab pots, colorfully stacked and waiting...
Along with lots of seagulls looking for a snack from the incoming fishermen!
