My Fifteen Months of Isolation
This is a collection of photographs that document my time in and around our hometown of Lewes, DE during the 15 plus months of the COVID pandemic. My wife and I are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place with nature around us. It made our time go so much better.
Eyes of the Sea
Horseshoe crab of Lewes Beach. See them eyes looking at you?
Beached
I took this photograph on my early morning walk this morning on Lewes Beach. I've been seeing this little dinghy sitting up on the dune for some time now but I've not been able to capture it in a way that pleased me. This morning was different. the circular cloud cover along with the morning light gave it a more appealing look to my eye. My plan was to shoot it in color but I feel the black and white worked better.
It's A New Day
Taken at 5:44 am on Lewes Beach. There's something special about being on the beach at sunrise.
Algae on a Sunny Morning
Taken on Lewes Beach a few mornings ago. The algae on this jetty was a brilliant green in the morning sunlight.
Plowing Through
Recently someone asked me "How many photographs do you need of the Horseshoe Crabs?". My answer... as long as I keep finding different ways to capture them, I'll keep shooting them. I took this photograph at 6:22 this morning. It was close to low tide and I still had a bit of the golden glow of the sun.
Eye of the Whelk
Today was the first time that I've ever had the opportunity to see the "Eye of the Whelk". I was out for my morning walk with my dog Juni and it was just coming on to low tide. The whelks were in abundance in the shallow water and this one caught my attention. While shooting I notice the Eye that I've never seen before.
Tracks in the Sand
Yet another horseshoe crab on Lewes Beach. I enjoy seeing these prehistoric looking creatures as they make their way across the sand.
Whiskey Jack
Morning Showers
On a recent sunny day. Juni and I met some of our doggie friends on Lewes Beach during out morning walk today. I always enjoy seeing dogs enjoy themselves on the beach. I do think they have even more fun than we do.
Never Giving Up
I thought I would post this photograph for those of you who are not aware of the uniqueness and beauty of the Horseshoe crab. These two had been in the process of mating when they were flipped onto their backs. I'm not sure how it happened but, it was most likely while the tide was in and they were being jostled around. As you can see that the male at the rear never gave up his hold on his female subject. Take a close look at their underside and the intricacies of their legs, claws, etc. Also look at the amount of sand that is caught in the shell of the male crab. That sand makes it extra difficult for them to turn over on their own. If left exposed on their backs for too long the heat and shorebirds will be their demise. These two along with many others will live to see another day because, as we walk the beach, we take the time to flip them back over. If you come across a horseshoe crab in your travels and it's laying on its back, consider giving it a flip but, don't pick it up by its tail. You could harm the crab by doing so.Tiger Lilies
Shot in my backyard
The Bloom
Tiger Lily from my backyard.
Alone in Lewes
For our afternoon walk today we decided to hike around downtown Lewes and it was a strange feeling being almost alone on a beautify sunny day.
The Porch
I have shot this porch numerous times over the years and I just keep getting drawn back to it. The wicker chair on the right is losing all of it's covering on the left side arm rest, the porch posts are cracking and in need of a few coats of paint, the clutter of everything including in front of the front door, the squiggly bulb in the light, the overall disrepair... It's perfect in every way. I'm sure that it will catch my eye again in the future.
Turquoise, Blue & Chartreuse
Beach colors of Lewes Beach. Taken during our morning walk today.
The Lone Whaler
Taken during my morning walk on Lewes Beach.
Gills Neck Road Architecture
Taken on our morning walk.
March on the Beach
I wanted to get up very early this morning to for a walk on the beach before sunrise but it just didn't happen. So, I headed out for a much needed walk for both me and Juni during the late morning sun. It was a pleasure for us both but I do need to get back into the habit of getting up early.
Refreshing the Clothesline
It was time for a new set of clothespins today so that we can hang out our beach towels and swimwear. Taken at f/2.2 with a 50mm prime lens so the depth of field is extremely shallow. All of that bokeh (blur) is straight from the camera. Taken in my backyard.
Old & In the Way
And I love it... Disrepair seems to grab my eye... in black and white of course.
The Forest Floor
Holly and I took Juni for a walk through the Cape Henlopen State Park yesterday and the pinecones laying on "The Forest Floor" caught my eye. We are trying to get out each day for a nice walk in nature while maintaining our distance from those around us. It's a strange time.
SUP in the Morning
I took this photograph in the early morning hours last week. As I got to Lewes Beach I saw this guy heading out on his paddle board but he was pretty far away. My goal was to catch up to him so I could capture his photograph with the sun rising directly behind him. As you can see, I never caught up. I kept finding other things that caught my eye. The early morning low tides will be returning early next week and so will I. That's my favorite time to be there with my camera and my little dog Juni.
The Colors of June
Another day of a 5am start time so I could get down to Lewes Beach for the sunrise. There weren't any sailboats in the harbor but the colors were spectacular for about 10 to 15 minutes. The actual sunrise was a bit blah due to clouds at the horizon.
As the Sun Breaks the Horizon
I climbed out of bed at 5am this morning so I could head down to Lewes Beach for the sunrise. When I first crossed the dune to enter the beach I saw this sailboat moored in the harbor and I knew that it was going to be my subject for today. The only problem was that the cloud cover was a bit too heavy so I had minimal opportunity to get what I was after.
Lighthouse, Gull & Sailboat
And just a small peek of the sun. Lewes Beach at 5:42 am on June 24th. Black & white with just a touch of a light vignette.
The Best Seats in the House
But you gotta get there early to get them... Lewes Beach in the early morning hours.
Right to My Toes
I took this early Thursday morning on Lewes Beach. There was so much cloud cover on this "Clear Morning" that the sun only peeked out for a brief time before it was obscured yet again. This trail of light came all the way to my toes.
Blue Clouds in the Morning
Lewes Beach, Lewes, DE
Subtle Sunrise
Herring Point at 5:50 am today. I was hoping for a few clouds however there was a rather heavy cloud cover at the horizon but it gave me this subtle sunrise.
The Rocks of Herring Point
Taken at 5:50 am yesterday morning at Herring Point in the Cape Henlopen State Park. It was a subdued sunrise due to the cloud cover but Herring Point can still provide a pleasant scene.
Peeking Through
Taken this morning on Lewes Beach. There was a low level of clouds that blocked the sun at the horizon so it took a bit longer to peek through. Sunrise this morning was 5:43 so I could sleep in for a few extra minutes.
I'm Up - And so is the sun...
At least it was yesterday at 5:53 am... this morning it was covered in fog.
My View on July 6th
It is pouring today with flood warnings, tropical storm warnings, small craft advisories, special marine warnings, riptide statements and high wind warnings so, no beach time for me... This was a scene from Herring Point this past Monday morning.
Meet Juni - My photography partner...
This is who I'm talking about when I say "Taken during my walk with Juni". She's been with me on many of my photography shoots and has always been a good assistant.
2 Shipcarpenter
Taken during my morning walk with Juni.
Eastern Box Turtle of Cape Henlopen
This turtle was slowly making its way across the path as I was leaving the beach on July 6th so I had to stop and take a photograph. I got down on my stomach and zoomed in but did my best not to scare it away. As I was leaving the park in my Jeep I saw another one crossing the road in a busy area so I pulled over and helped it cross without incident.
Overfalls in the Morning
Taken at 6:35 am today as I was walking Juni around town. There wasn't much "Good Light" this morning but it did peek through every so often.
The Garden
Shot in my backyard
The Good Father
Male European house sparrow feeding it's hungry peep. Shot in my backyard.
At the Docks
Along the canal in Lewes. It's late July and we still had the park to ourselves. Taken during my morning walk with Juni.
Pushups, Every Morning, Ten Times
Holly and I went for a drive today and we stopped at Trap Pond to eat our picnic lunch. When we got there we saw this squirrel acting rather silly on the top of one of the picnic tables and all I could think of was Go You Chicken Fat Go...!
Mayor Thompson House Circa 1904
This is another of the architectural gems of Lewes, DE. It was originally built in 1904 and is of block construction with an Ashler stuccoed finish. It is another of my favorites in our town and I needed to do this in b&w. See the attached photograph that I placed in the comment section of this post for a detailed history of the house.
The Door on the Corner of the House on the Corner
Park & Third. Juni and I walk by here on many of our morning walks but it's typically shaded with unappealing light but, this morning, the sun was shining down. I enjoy capturing the architecture of our town.
136 Gills Neck
More of the Architecture of Lewes from my early morning walks with Juni. This happens to also sit on a corner and we pass by it several times each day. We feel so fortunate to live in such a great little town.
310 W. 3rd
The home of some friends of ours, this relatively new construction fits well in the town of Lewes. Take note of the artwork sitting on the header of the front door. Taken in the early morning light during my walk yesterday.
Drama in the Background
I was out at the point in Cape Henlopen State Park for a sunset photoshoot of the above family and this is what was happening behind me. I'm glad I turned around.
The Fog Before the Storm
Taken at 7:09 this morning as Juni and I were out for a walk. By 8:15ish we had a good quick blast of a thunderstorm. As you can see, some will still head out for a day of fishing even with the threat of bad weather.
A Little Piece of Lewes
Located on what's likely the shortest street in Lewes, this colorful little house was the attraction to my camera lens this morning. 12 Church Street, Lewes.
In the Full Morning Sun
This home is just about seven years old and, though new architecture, it fits in very well with the other homes on this section of Gills Neck Road. The original house that sat on this spot was moved many years ago by picking it up, turning in around and moving it to the lot of land that was directly behind this location. I was told that the owner at that time felt it was too cold and windy being located on the canal. That home, which I will photograph some day, is another one of the beautiful structures of Lewes.
More of Mulberry
Architecture of Mulberry Street, Lewes, DE.
The Curl
At times the ocean can look like it's alive and that's especially true with an offshore wind hitting a wave as it's breaking causing a heavy blowing mist. This was taken on the north breakwall of the Indian River Inlet.
September at the Point
I went out to the Point of the Cape Henlopen State Park this evening to capture the sun as it was setting for the day. It was coming onto low tide so the beach ripples were aplenty. They add such a wonderful texture to a photograph.
East End Light
This is another photograph from last evening. For some reason there was a flurry of bird activity around the East End Light and I'm not sure what was causing it. Today the low tide will be at sunset so I'm going to head back out to the point for another shoot.
Ripples & Waves
This is one more of my photographs from this past Sunday evening at the point in the Cape Henlopen State Park.
After Biblion
I had a task to do a photoshoot for a friend and her dogs and her location was one that I could walk to. As I was walking back home I spotted this couple sitting on one of the benches in the Zwaanendael Park. It made for a classic Lewes scene. Shopping downtown for some gifts, grabbing a coffee and taking in the piece and quiet of our local parks.
Fall Reflections
The fall colors were quite brilliant and the water surface was like a sheet of glass yesterday during our kayak ride creating such beautiful scenes on the surface of the pond. As I was photographing my surroundings I realized that the reflections looked almost better than the trees themselves.
Juxtapose
The eyes can be deceived... look closely at this image and you will begin to see the leaf floating in the water along with some other pond debris and it looks like they are up in the trees and in the sky. You then start to get the feeling that this may not be an image of actual trees but one of their reflections but, how can that be? The reflections on the pond where we were kayaking the other day were so mirrorlike that I could flip this photograph and give you the sense that nothing is out of the ordinary.
Enjoying the Sunshine
I photographed these two Eastern Painted Turtles while kayaking. It was a beautiful day on the water. 75 degrees on November 9th. Pretty crazy but I'll take it.
Fall on the Water
I'm still working on the many photographs that I took during our recent kayak outing and this one really amazes me. It's another where I flipped the image so the bulk of what you are seeing is the reflection instead of the actual trees. Again, you can tell by looking closely at the top portion of the image where you can see some leaves floating on the water. Nature in all of its fading brilliance.
Cypress in the Fall
It won't be long before all of those brilliant fall colors begin to dissipate into the cold grays of winter but there is still time to get out there and enjoy what nature has to share.
land, sea, sky
This is a view of the mouth of the Delaware Bay and it's a small portion of the Point hike of Cape Henlopen. This area is closed to access from March 1st through sometime in October due to migrating birds so now is a perfect time to get out and enjoy this view.
My Lovely Wife
Taken during our hike around the point today. It was a great day to be on the beach.
Muggy Lee Jr and the Harbor Light
We took a hike around the point of the Cape Henlopen State Park today to enjoy the lovely weather. This hike is just under three miles and it's something you should do even if you've taken it in the past.
Standing in the Bay - And not getting wet...
... at low tide of course. This is another photograph from our hike of the point in the Cape Henlopen State Park. I would list this as one of the "Must Things to do in Delaware".
The Day's End
Taken at the Cape Henlopen State park today at 4:56 pm as the sun was low in the sky. The tide was on its way back in but was still low enough to expose the ripples on the exposed sandbars.
Footprints at the Point
The "Point" is a very special place in the Cape Henlopen State Park and It's only open to the public once the migrating birds have left in late fall through March 1st each year. I try to get out there several times each year to take advantage of nature's offerings such as whelk shells and numerous other shells as well as the occasional eagle or Harbor seal but, even more so, it's just a place to free your mind for an hour or two.
In Black & White
This is another photograph from my walk in the Cape Henlopen State Park yesterday. It is sometimes a hard decision to take so much gold color away by processing an image in black and white but, I felt that it was a good choice with this particular photograph. I really enjoy the blackness of the lighthouse silhouette created by the sun being directly behind and just barely peeking out at the railings. I hope you like it too.
Capt. Bob IV
For this morning's walk Juni and I went along both sides of the canal in downtown Lewes and, yes, I took my camera along. I suited it up with my 50mm prime lens which is my lightest setup. That lens adds both a level of difficulty with certain limitations but also enhances an image due to the speed of the lens. As we were walking we came across Capt. Bob IV. She's in much need of repair yet so beautiful because of the deterioration. She called out to be processed in black & white.
The Overfalls with a Bit of Grain
(The grain was an intentional addition)Taken during my morning walk along the canal.
The Pier
This is the fishing pier at the Cape Henlopen State Park. I took this photograph just over an hour ago as the snow was beginning to fall more heavily adding a great deal of texture to the image. I went several places in the park to try and capture something special and I was surprised at how many people were out. When I got to the pier, I was all along with no footprints but my own.
Have a Seat
Even though it is cold and snowy that bench still seems to have an attraction giving thoughts of sitting and relaxing a bit. This is another photograph of the pier taken just a few minutes earlier and I kept the color in the image. I really enjoy shooting in the snow but it can be difficult to keep your equipment dry. It was blowing both snow and freezing rain which made that task even more daunting.
Patterns
Footprints, blowing snow & rope fencing. Cape Henlopen State Park on January 31, 2021.
Sand Fence in the Snow
Taken this past Sunday during our snowstorm. I guess that you can consider 2-3" a snowstorm.
Dry Dock
It's time for the Muggy Lee to receive a bit of winter maintenance. During my morning walk Juni and I hiked along both sides of the waterfront in Lewes and part of that walk took us to the Marina where we found the Muggy Lee Jr in her winter storage spot.
The Long Reach of the Bow
Feels even longer with a wide angle lens. This is the Thelma Dale IV of Lewes, DE. Taken during my morning walk.
Cottage of Lewes Beach
My recent hikes have been taking me past this little cottage that is located on the Lewes Beach side of town. Most of the neighboring homes have been replaced by new large homes but this cute little gem remains.
Good Morning
Juni and I got up before the sun this morning and took a hike on Lewes Beach. There wasn't much that was standing out to me until this gull flew by.
The Pines in the Snow
This is another photograph from my time in the Cape Henlopen State Park during our snowstorm yesterday. Today is a very different scene with rain, 43 degrees and wind blowing at 20-35 mph. What caught my eye for this image was the snow sticking to the east sides of the trees.
Snowy Cormorant
This little guy was hanging out on the rocks at the Roosevelt Inlet during out snowstorm on Sunday. I know we have Snowy Egrets & Snow Geese but this is my first "Snowy Cormorant".
Our Lightship
The Overfalls of Lewes, DE. I photograph this ship quite often due to its beauty, history and location and I always enjoy doing so. Its bright red color adds such an attraction to an image.
The Overfalls
From another perspective. Taken during my morning walk.
Moved...
At least twice that I know of... This house was originally located in town Lewes but was moved across the canal to the Lewes Beach side of town many years ago. I got to tour it about 20 years or so ago during the annual Christmas Walking Tour; at that time the owners explained how it was brought across the canal. Then about twelve years or so ago it began to fall into disrepair which was hard to watch; it was saved by being moved yet again. This time it was a short move down Anglers Road to its present location which is at the entrance to the new development of Anglers Nest.
Winter
Taken during my morning walk with Juni. It was 60 degrees in the morning yesterday and today the "real feel" was 17. That damn groundhog... I'm ready for spring.