Along Kent Island is a small and safe harbor that houses a number of crab, fishing and oyster boats. A true Chesapeake Bay Watermen’s local haven, where the century long tradition of creating a livelihood from the bay is held.
This winter has been an exceptionally cold winter. For the first time in 30 years, the bay was completely frozen over. Holding these water vessels captive, while moored along the dock.
These boats, well weathered from the beating sun and harsh elements stood quiet awaiting for the ice to relent. The colorful baskets stacked, ready for the next outing to hold the bay’s crustacean treasures.
While these boats appear to have been put up for the winter, many of them looked as if their captains had just left for a coffee break. But alas, that is not the case. The ice has them blocked in for the unforeseeable future. With spring just a breath away.
When all the world appears to be in a tumult, and nature itself is feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons retain their essential rhythm. Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter, but then, winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring.
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Very nice post! Great photographic illustrations.
Thank you so much Victor.
oh wow that IS very much frozen yipes! :O
The best part is watching the ducks slip and slide on the stuff.
Your photos are great, but I’ll bet that there will be a few of the boats damaged by the ice, unfortunately.
There was one boater that came and was standing on the boat, rocking it back and forth to loosen up the ice. So far, they all looked in pretty good shape.
Gorgeous picture! I love this.
Thank you so much!
Saw conditions like this on the Chesapeake Bay many years ago. BRRRRR! Still longing for that lovely place, though, from out on the windy, dry plains of Western OK.
Oh I can’t even imagine what it is like for you out there in OK during this winter. The winds must be truly horrendous.
It’s a lot nicer than what the East Coast will experience today and tomorrow. We had some snow here (about 2″ and welcome the moisture) but it’s supposed to be in high 60’s tomorrow and Fri. Crazy!
The wind is a given, too, and it’s difficult to keep shrubs and trees alive in drying winter winds when the outside water system has to be kept off. Good luck with this weather coming your way.
Brrr…looks very cold…excellent pictures though!
It’s been so cold I just don’t know what to do with myself.
This climate change is really scare: over there you are having relentless cold and over here we’re having relentless rain! 😦
I believe this winter has been hard on all of us throughout the world. But I’d take rain and snow any day instead of drought.
Thats is cul
Thanks James.
It looks like you’ve stumbled upon some kind of abandoned boat yard, and in a weird way like shipwrecks blown up on land. The boats look out of place being held still in place by all the ice, they look lonely too. Your descriptions painted a nice picture for us about how the scene felt as a whole.
Stay warm!
Believe or not, this is a real working harbor area. These boats go out regularly to work the bay. The boats were so fascinating, you would have loved them. Filled with character. Bet you could write something up worthy of Hemingway.
They do appear to have characters all their own. Thank you for the kind words, I do appreciate them. 😀
My dad keeps blowers in the water around his dock to keep the ice at bay but even then he gets some freezing. Needless to say in Northern MI he doesn’t get to do much boating!
I would bet this harbor for you is just as interesting to visit in their peak working season. I’m sure you’ll be sharing!
Take care,
eLPy
I have this fantasy of going down to that dock and bribing one of the workmen to go out with them on their boat to go work the lines. Although they’d probably want to leave at 4am.
See you’re a writing machine again tonight. You are so impressive!
Hey thanks!
That sounds like a heck of a trip, although I wouldn’t want to go out alone! I bet that would be an awesome photo shoot too! That’s a project to work on no doubt. 🙂
Cheers!
eLPy
I think that would make for a really great article. Get some pics, do a little interview. “Life in the Nets” or “Life with the Nets” or….
Loves places like this.
Bet you don’t get to see them frozen in too much though. 🙂
Reblogged this on Senior Slavio Blog.
Thank you for sharing this with your readers.