If you would like to see the Chesapeake Bay region in a way that you have never seen it before, then check out the collection of aerial photos of our regional treasure taken by Cameron Davidson. Cameron maintains a library of photo galleries under the title Aerial Stock. The photographer was kind enough to give me permission to include one of his photos for this post. I found it difficult to settle on just one from the hundreds that he has collected, but the aerial view of Smith Island really caught my eye. A similar picture of Tangier Island is also quite spectacular. I would encourage everyone to visit Aerial Stock and check out the three collections of Chesapeake Bay aerial photos. The Aerial Stock galleries also include some stunning photos of monuments and attractions in Washington, D.C.. All of Cameron Davidson’s photos are available for purchase as prints or for publication. There is also a Chesapeake Bay book in the works, and I will pass along details about that effort when available. Enjoy the pictures.

The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society maintains a web site offering history, information and locations of over 30 lighthouses and lightships in the Chesapeake Bay region. The society also offers an annual challenge on a September weekend to visit a dozen of these local attractions in just two days. The chapter meets monthly from March through September with visits to lighthouses on land and sea. The society often offers opportunities to access to lighthouses not normally open to the general public. Individual and family memberships are offered by the society, and volunteer opportunities are available to help preserve our Chesapeake heritage.

The Onancock Harborfest will take place on September 7th & 8th, 2007. According to the Harborfest web site:

The event we’ve all been looking forward to is coming soon!! No big city celebrations for us, but Onancock’s very own Harborfest, including the old favorites – Great Big Paper Boat Race; Hospice’s Rubber Duck Race; arcade and other kid games and rides; rock climbing wall; lots of yummy food; musical entertainment; plus lots more. Of course, we’ll also kick Saturday off with the ever important American Heart Association 5K Run/Walk.

The town of Onancock is in Accomack County on the eastern shore of Virginia. Travellers along the Rt. 13 corridor pass by the road to Onancock on a regular basis, but few know that just a mile down the road is one of the jewels of the Delmarva peninsula. The town sits at the head of Onancock Creek, which is a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, and according to the Onancock web site, the harbor is is considered one of the best hurricane holes on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The downtown area of Onancock has a similar feel to the revitalized downtown of Berlin, MD, with an eclectic mix of shops and eateries along with other traditional businesses. Next time you are driving down Rt. 13, take a turn to the west and visit Onancock, VA.

July is a busy month for the town of Chincoteague, VA. The 82nd Annual Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival is under way offering rides, food and fun that are a staple of several towns across the Delmarva peninsula. A Wild West Show will add to the excitement on July 22nd. All of this activity leads up to the world famous Annual Pony Swim & Auction which graces the dates of July 25th and 26th this year. Visitors can also enjoy the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll on July 14th. Pony Penning week will be started off by the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival on July 21st and 22nd.

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers 14,000 acres of nature to provide a break from all of the activities in town. The focus of the refuge is to maintain the habitat for migratory birds traveling the Atlantic Flyway. The Assateague Lighthouse is just one more special stop around the Chincoteague region.