Tag: chesapeake bay

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King Neptune Guards the Beach at Cape Charles

The mythical guardian of Cape Charles stands tall along the Virginia shoreline.

When the sun sets on Cape Charles beach, a local legend comes alive. It is said that King Neptune, the ruler of the sea and protector of all marine life, rises from the depths to guard the sandy shores. As night falls and waves crash against the shoreline, those who know about his presence at Cape Charles feel comforted by his watchful eye.

King Neptune on the beach at Cape Charels
King Neptune guards the shore at Cape Charles, Virginia.

It is said that King Neptune, the ruler of the sea and protector of all marine life, can be seen guarding this Chesapeake Bay shoreline in his grand majesty. According to local folklore in this Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) town, King Neptune’s presence has been felt since ancient times when sailors used to visit this particular beach for protection from bad weather and unpredictable waves. But regardless of its origin, one thing remains certain – locals firmly believe that King Neptune watches over Cape Charles and Northampton County with divine power and strength.

king neptune jigsaw puzzle
King Neptune Jigsaw Puzzle

Visitors to Cape Charles have reported seeing an impressive figure in royal attire standing on top of a tall rock formation at the very edge of the shoreline. Some say they’ve heard him bellowing out orders as if commanding an army while others claim he’s simply gazing out into the horizon with a look of pride and determination in his eyes. The majestic King Neptune has been watching over the beach at Cape Charles for many years. As an unique area landmark, his presence is a reminder of the long-standing history of this scenic waterfront town located on a small peninsula jutting into the Chesapeake Bay. Every day, curious visitors flock to its sandy shores to get a glimpse of this grandiose statue that stands tall above everything else.

King Neptune is the mythical guardian of the beach at Cape Charles, Virginia. Every summer, tourists head to this pristine and picturesque stretch of shoreline for some fun in the sun and a chance to meet King Neptune himself! With his trident firmly in his grasp and a seaweed crown atop his head, King Neptune stands tall as he greets visitors with a smile.

The legendary figure has become an iconic presence on the beach since he first appeared at Cape Charles nearly two decades ago. His mission is simple: to protect this beautiful stretch of coastline from any harm while bringing joy to those who visit. He often spends time with vacationers, whether it’s posing for photos or teaching kids about maritime safety tips. He may even be seen with a dog at his side. Just kidding, really…but you never know.

King Neptune with Miss Hanna
King Neptune with his trusty sidekick, Miss Hannah.

Designed in 2004 by Paul DiPasquale, this statue of King Neptune at Cape Charles is actually the preliminary study, a seven foot tall prototype, for the large statue of King Neptune in Virginia Beach. The King Neptune Statue (2005) on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk at Neptune Park is 24 feet tall, more than three times the size of “The King” at Cape Charles.

Shop for King Neptune Wall Art and Home Decor.

The images in this article are “clickable” if you would like to see more details about each photograph. You can also click the links below to browse and/or shop.

Link to: King Neptune Wall Art and more

Link to: Bill’s Private Gallery at Fine Art America

beach remaisn still like at cape charles virginia
Remains of an old Pier on the beach at Cape Charles, VA
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Crab Basket Christmas Trees on the Eastern Shore

Bushel Basket Holiday trees in Grasonville, MD and throughout Delmarva…

Celebrating the Watermen of the Chesapeake Bay is series of non-traditional Christmas trees, three of which are located at the Fisherman’s Village complex, just east of Kent Island.

Crab Basket Christmas Tree in Grasonville MD
Crab Basket Christmas Tree at the Kent Narrows in Grasonville, MD. Note, please, that utility poles, wires vehicles and advertising signs have been “removed” from the original image.

Merry Crabby Christmas – Merry Crabness. This tree, along with two others are located at the Waterman’s Memorial in Grasonville, Queen Anne’s County, MD. Bushel Basket Trees are a common site on the Eastern Shore in several of the small water-oriented towns. Other sightings: Cambridge, Rock Hall, St. Michaels, Berlin (on the road to Assateague Island).
In Maine and other New England states they have lobster trap trees – similar but not the same as “From the Land of Pleasant Living on the Eastern Shore!”

three crab basket christmas trees near the Waterman's Memorial
Three Bushel Basket Christmas Trees in Graysonville, MD

We got started on this photo project because we saw a picture and then found this bit of description on a Facebook post: “These baskets are at fishermans inn in Grasonville , they also have a lot of meaning , mostly not all but a lot have our local waterman’s names and drawn pictures of their boats ect on them that worked on the water most of their lives its located at the watermans memorial , I think there is 3 trees this year” (by Commenter, Michael Timms)

three variations of the same crab basket holiday tree
Here are three popular variations of the crab-topped Crab Basket Holiday Tree featured above. They are (l to r) a simulated watercolor painting, a simulated charcoal drawing and the original photograph presentation.

Interesting items about the Crab Basket Holiday Trees

Each tree has a meaning and each basket has a meaning: history, celebration, honor, remembering and/or holiday spirit.

crab basket holiday trees on t-shirts
The watercolor rendition of the Crab Basket Tree looks great as a T-shirt design.
  1. 202 baskets were used to make the first tree that was erected in Kent Narrows in 2020.
  2. There was so much interest that two trees were created in 2022.
  3. Interest continued to grow – with three trees being constructed in 2023.
  4. Located at the Fisherman’s Village complex at the Kent Narrows (Kent Island Narrows), Grasonville, MD.
  5. Every painted basket has a “story” to honor and/or remember someone or may simply be to share the holiday spirit.
  6. There are “memorial baskets” to honor watermen who passed away in the previous year.
  7. Proceeds from project activities support local watermen and families in need.
  8. Basket painting was done by local citizens of all ages.
  9. Above is from the Kent Narrows, Maryland website.

Each tree has a meaning and each basket has a meaning. Themes might include history, celebration, honor, remembering someone and/or simply the joy of holiday spirit.

Here is a Bushel Basket Christmas Tree found near the town of Berlin, MD along Route 611.

crab backet christmas tree berlin md
Crab Bushel Basket Christmas Tree Near Assateague Island, MD
watermen's association crab basket tree sponsor sign
Watermen’s Association 2022 Crab Basket Tree sponsor sign.

These trees would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors. The sign thanking/acknowledging them, erected by the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Association, is located at the site.

The Sponsors listed are: Armin’s Garage Doors LLC, Bay Tree Service, Bayside Insurance Associates Inc, Clements Creek Ventures, Fishergate Graphic Design, Fisherman’s Inn & Crab Deck, Harris Crab House, Jennifer Norfolk–Coldwell Banker, Kent Island Rotary, Kent Narrows Development Foundation, Kentmorr Marina, Molly Maid, QAC Economic & Tourism Development, Queenstown Bank, R&D Electric, Rag Lady Inc, Ruth Brothers Portable Toilets, Shore Lumber & Millwork, Shore Septic, Shore Sign, Shore United Bank, TJ & Sherri Hunter, VFW Post 7464, and Wye River Marine. The sign is thanking … First Mate sponsors and all who purchased a basket. Thank you!

Christmas Lights

Of course a Christmas Tree need lights for viewing at night. These Crab Basket Trees are no exception.

crab basket christmas tree at night
The Crab Basket Christmas Tree is lighted at night.

Yes, you can purchase the wall art photographs in a variety of substrates as well as on Home Decor, Apparel and Other Items.

Link to: Bill’s Gallery with the Crab Basket Trees.

Link to: Bill’s Redbubble Shop with dozens of unique items, apparel and decor.

crab basket tree items available on redbubble
A sample of Crab Basket Tree Watercolor items available at Redbubble.
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Frozen Waters and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Reflections

From a cold January cruise underneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Another of my older photographs dates back to January 31, 2014 and a winter cruise to warm Caribbean islands and sunshine. The frozen waters beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge reflect the waning light of the last sunset on the last day of January, 2014. We do not see an icy Chesapeake Bay like this very often and this particular combination of lighting and ice floes in the Bay may never be seen again.

Bay Bridge Silhouette Icy Sunset

Officially, the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, this dual structure spans over four miles of the Chesapeake Bay connecting Maryland’s Western Shore to Kent Island and the Maryland Eastern Shore on the Delmarva Peninsula. Standing 186 feet high at the highest point, this bridge instills fear in the hearts of many drivers who cross it. However, most drivers and passengers simply revel in the beauty of this engineering marvel.

Chesapeeake Bay Bridge Sunset Reflections

The above are two slightly different views of this rare occurrence of seeing ice floes as far south as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The orange light of the setting sun adds to the dramatic impact of this scene and is likely something that will not be photographed again. Yes, it was cold on the top deck of the Grandeur of the Seas when I shot these photographs but certainly not as cold as being in the water.

Link to gallery at FAA/Pixels: Chesapeake Collection

Link to gallery at Pictorem: Chesapeake Bridges (Free Shipping)