Watermen’s Sunrise – The Miles River is a 13 mile long tributary of the eastern Chesapeake Bay.  Originally called the St. Miles River, it derives its name from Saint Michael, the patron saint of Colonial Maryland.   Maryland Rt. 33 connects the Easter Shore towns of Easton and St. Michaels.  Along the way you cross the little bridge where Oak Creek connects to the Miles.  This small community wharf is home to several traditional Chesapeake Watermen’s work boats.  Most watermen on the Chesapeake Bay are independent fishermen who own their own boat and equipment, and they sell the catch to different wholesale seafood houses.  Watermen start their day at sunrise – in the summer they crab, and in the spring, fall, and winter they fish for a variety of fishes and eels.  This high dynamic range image, taken late in November a few years ago combines three exposures to bring out all the detail of the sky, the forest in the background, and the dramatic contrast between the vertical dock pilings and the graceful lines of the work boat.  This is my “Watermen’s Sunrise”.
 

Come see this image and others from my solo exhibition, “Life on the Eastern Shore” show, August 1-30, 2015 at Katie’s Coffee House at the Old Brogue in Great Falls, VA.