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Beauty, Adventure and Photography on Wye Island

7/22/2016

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Rare old growth forest, tons of wildfowl, endangered species and much more ...

We sat motionless and in silence, watching a great blue heron Heron just 15 feet away from us. He was laser focused and on the hunt, frozen still on the shore edge. Cocked and loaded, his razor sharp beak was aiming to plunge lightning fast into the shallow water and snap up a fish for dinner.
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NOAA chart of showing the location and approach to Wye Island.
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Hiking trail map of Wye Island NRMA. We explored the green and blue trails on this adventure.
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Anchored in the Wye River, we planned our adventure of the adjacent island.
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The dirt road led us to photographic adventure throughout the trails, forests, and coves.
Join Us on this multi-day Sailing & Photo Workshop
Base Camp, our 31' sailboat, was anchored in barely 5 feet of water at the head of Dividing Creek surrounded on three sides by the Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area and what we consider the crown jewel of the Chesapeake Bay. Wye Island is located in the tidal recesses of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounded by the Wye River and the Wye East River. There is almost 3 thousand acres of protected land and 6+ miles of hiking trails to explore and capture by camera. We anchored so close to land that we could practically reach out and touch the tree branches lining the shore. And we indeed had stadium seating for the constant display of waterfowl all around us. 
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Wye Island is rich in wildlife and waterfowl with some wildlife even being on the endangered species list. There is an old growth forest with a 275+ year old holly tree. There are miles of hiking trails lined with wild berries for the picking. Add into the mix our approach from a sailboat and you have the perfect recipe for worldclass photographing opportunities.
From the deck of Base Camp we continued to watch the heron hunting. In the past hour we had seen about a dozen of these twiggy-legged majestic creatures. Some of them were even perched on branches precariously high up in trees seemingly defying all laws of gravity. More impressive still were the numerous bald eagles continually swooping and diving into the water catching fish in their sharp talons. The inviting protected island sanctuary, rich in food supplies above and below the water attracts enormous quantities of migratory and wintering birds.
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A picturesque setting overlooking Grapevine Cove on the Wye River.
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Lots of nesting osprey on navigation buoys.
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We stepped onto Wye Island from our dinghy at one of the designated landing areas.
Once our private great blue heron show was over, we ventured to the island with cameras, tripods and trail-maps in hand. Boarding our dinghy, we floated about 15 yards to a designated landing area, bumping the bow of our inflatable into the shore just before stepping onto dry land.
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This centuries old holly tree seemed like the overseer of Wye Island and its rich waterfowl and wildlife.
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Anchored in beautiful Dividing Creek, we were so close to land we could almost reach out and touch the adjacent tree branches.
As we explored, we kept a keen eye out for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrels. They can easily be distinguished from the common gray squirrel by their larger size, lighter color and shy, quiet behavior. And rather than jumping from tree to tree, Delmarva fox squirrels will descend down a tree and travel on the ground to the next tree.

​The trail meandered through the forest and past empty anchorages like Grapevine Cove where we spotted a rope swing dangling over the water and an old Adirondack chair perfectly positioned to watch wildlife activity. It invited us to sit awhile and ponder our good fortune for discovering such a peaceful and beautiful place. The photographic subjects on the Island seemed endless. Giant pines trees lined the trails with frogs and mushrooms at our feet. And of course there is the rich waterfowl.

A next stop on our adventure might be the close but small and quaint water town of St. Michaels though we didn't want to leave our Crown Jewel of the Chesapeake.
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Down on hands and knees we found colorful mushrooms growing on the forest floor.
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We found a set of picturesque bridges leading us through the forest.
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Unique and sometimes twisted trees lined the hiking trails. We even found a Wye Oak tree here and there.
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We all agreed to return often especially when the blackberries were perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy for eating without us making a sourpuss face.
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Studying Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay

7/10/2016

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Thomas Point Lighthouse. An icon of the Chesapeake Bay.
We ghosted out of the Chester River leaving behind another beautiful, secluded anchorage and amazing sunrise. There were about 8 knots of wind from behind pushing Base Camp, our 31’ sailboat, west as we sliced through small, sparkling ripples on the water. We barely saw the far shore almost 7 miles away, although the double spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge were in perfect view. I pushed the button to engage our autopilot, leaving the helm to fend for itself. I grabbed a collection bottle and walked to the bow of our sailboat, looking forward to my mission of gathering another sample of the bay's brackish water.
Other Research Aboard our Boat Base Camp
We are sailors and adventures, but we are also network engineers and textile designers who ply the bay’s waters mostly for fun and curiosity. However, since we spend a lot of time on the bay sailing efficiently under wind power to many different locations, we have transformed our 31’ sailboat into a zero-dollar cost research vessel that is able to collect water samples in otherwise hard-to-obtain locations. Scientists and researchers study our sample results without their exorbitant collection costs. The best part for us is that we have added purpose to our passion for sailing, which makes our outings more meaningful in many directions.

​While sailing Base Camp, our original intent was not to be researchers or scientists, but our added interest developed and led us recently to team up with a non-profit organization called Adventure Scientists. This organization equips scientists and researchers with data collected from the outdoors that is crucial to unlocking solutions to the world's environmental challenges. My team combines sailing adventures, mostly on the Chesapeake Bay and occasionally beyond, with helping to study the alarming amounts of microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters in size) that are polluting our world’s oceans and tributaries.
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One of our many water samples taken from the Chesapeake Bay.
Most of us have heard about the Great Pacific trash pile swirling around out in the ocean, far far away. Yet, the microplastics particles we are finding are practically invisible to the naked eye, and most of us Chesapeake Bay boaters don’t realize the extent of these microplastics floating right in our own backyards. From the many samples we have collected off the decks of Base Camp, we seem to average around 20 pieces of microplastics in every single 1 liter water sample. So far, our samples have come mostly from the middle of the Chesapeake with a few taken in the C&D Canal.
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Our initial samples are shown here. We are working toward collecting at headwaters and mouths of many rivers throughout the bay.
While conducting our scientific research on Base Camp, we gather samples following strict procedures developed by Adventure Scientists. We rinse a 1-liter bottle numerous times, fill it up with our water sample, and seal it under water. This process aims to reduce outside contaminates which would skew the results. The clothing we wear during sampling must be taken into consideration too in order not to contaminate the samples. Additionally, we document our latitude/longitude, water temperature, current, wind direction, and several other pieces of data. We mail our samples and notes to a lab where the sample is filtered and analyzed microscopically to determine microplastic content. The lab also determines and documents the color of each piece of plastic. Our results are then added to a global public database along with over 100 other adventurers like us gathering samples from waterways all over the world. Currently, this online database of difficult-to-obtain data currently holds close to 1,800 water samples.  And sadly, about 85% of the samples have contained microplastics.
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A cold February day anchored in Cox Creak on the West River. (Photo by Jordan Snyder)
Where is all of this plastic pollution coming from? That is probably the number one reason for building a global database to map microplastics. It will help scientists study the sources, composition, and distribution of microplastic pollution throughout the world. What has been determined so far is that microplastics pollution come from many different sources such as plastic water bottles that enter our waterways, float on the surface and over time are broken down repeatedly by the sun, wind and wave action into microscopic particles. Furthermore, it has been determined that clothing such as fleece are playing a large role in the pollution problem. Fleece is made from polyester which is a plastic and as we wear it and wash it, tiny fragment of the fleece garment actual shed or flake off. Shedding of the fleece while in the laundry send those polyester fragments directly down the drain into our water system. The cosmetics industry is a major player too: plastic microbeads (polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene) are added to many personal care products, such as exfoliating creams and toothpastes. These too are ending up down our drains and into the water system. Currently most water treatment plants are not equipped to remove floating microplastics during the treatment process, so particles from fleece and plastic microbeads enter the waterways directly from household drains.
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La Trappe Creek off the Choptank River is just one of many beautiful anchorages in the bay to drop the hook and explore. (Photo by Jordan Snyder)
Scientists confirm that these tiny plastic particles have been consistently found at alarmingly high levels worldwide. Our Chesapeake Bay results seem to be confirming these findings locally as well. Plastic pollutants are tiny and harmful to our environment in many ways. Poisonous chemicals and toxins in the waters adhere to microplastics. Then, aquatic wildlife often mistake microplastics for plankton and digests the particles. And the cycle continues as microplastics re-enter the human food chain by fish consumption. Not only are scientists finding fish stomachs full of plastics, but some of that plastic can end up in our own bodies.
Microplastics in our waterways poses a monumental clean-up challenge. Companies all over the world are studying and testing a variety of ideas to clean our oceans. Cities and college campuses in the United States are banning plastic bags and single-serving plastic water bottle sales. The movement is attracting attention and gradually more people are becoming aware of this important issue. We can all do our party to help with this issue. The opportunities to help out are endless. Here are just a few simple steps we can take:
 
. Inform the public and boating community of this issue
. Participate in a local beach debris clean up
. Read labels: Purchase items that do not contain microbeads
. Re-use and recycle every piece of plastic you possibly can.
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Base Camp our Pearson 31-2 sailboat approaching the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. (Photo by Martina Sestakova)
While aboard Base Camp, we will continue to explore the Chesapeake Bay and enjoy its many picturesque gunkholes, lighthouses, sandy beaches, and charming towns. We will also continue to gather water samples for the global database and speak to local high school students on the topic. We plan to apply for a federal grant to expand our sampling and cover as much of the 200 miles of Chesapeake Bay as we possibly can with more sophisticated sample gathering equipment. From samples at river headwaters and confluence to the centerline of the bays shipping channel, these samples will help build a much-needed and detailed data set for scientists to study and help seek resolution to this international pollution issue. We are optimistic that adding purpose to our passion for sailing will also increase awareness of the issues locally.
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Jordan Snyder is a lifelong explorer and sailor, running a sailing adventure company called Base Camp Sailing. He spends lots of time exploring the Chesapeake Bay and oftentimes ventures on crewed and singlehanded Ocean expeditions. Follow his adventures and environmental quests at www.BaseCampSailing.com
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In Search of Underwater Springs at Waterhole Cove on the Chesapeake Bay

7/8/2016

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A map showing the quaint & quiet town of Sherwood on Waterhole Cove and Lowes Wharf where we eventually found the waterhole.
Chesapeake Bay with Knapps Narrows, Waterhole Cove and the town of Sherwood, Maryland
NOAA Chart of Waterhole Cove, the town of Sherwood and Lowes Wharf. The Chesapeake bay is on the west side. Knapps Narrows is south.
PictureWith the anchor set we watch a beautiful Sunset from Waterhole Cove of Harris Creek and the Choptank River. Photo Credit: Martina Sestakova
Our sailing fleet splashed north in Harris Creek on a beam reach leaving the Choptank River in our wake. I was aboard Base Camp, my 31’ Pearson sailboat, with my trusty crew. Breezin, a Catalina 34', was just ahead. We sailed right past our usual and beautiful anchorage, Dun Cove. We continued north into 'uncharted' waters, headed to the very next cove - rich in history, adventure and intrigue. In the early 1600's explorers like Captain John Smith came to this very spot to fill water casks on tall ships like the Discovery, Godspeed and Susan Constants. The underwater springs rose up from the coves bottom allowing the ships to conveniently fill their tanks without going to land. Like many others before us, our sailing expedition aimed to drop the hook in the famed Waterhole Cove and search for that spring. Our tanks were getting close to empty.

For our approach, we sailed just inside the aptly named Smith Point with the town of Sherwood and their public pier off our port beam. I scanned the water for signs of the ancient underwater spring. An occasional bubble of water or splash from a fish would catch my gaze as I hoped to re-discover that illusive fresh water spigot hiding below our keel. The town used to have many springs. Unfortunately they had all dried up possibly a century ago or more. But we still were in search of a 'waterhole'.
We dropped our hook about 100 yards off the shore in 7 feet of water. The land around us had a few older homes hidden in the trees along with lots of undeveloped shoreline. The town pier was in our sight. We had discovered a beautiful anchorage. However, it had very little wind protection. My boat Base Camp was now rafted up with our buddy Breezin, an immaculately maintained and skillfully sailed boat. We had rafted together many times before that we knew the drill including exact location for fenders, how to run the lines and what drinks/appetizers would appear from each cabin once the sun began to set.
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Sherwood town pier and dinghy tie-up. Photo Credit: Martina Sestakova
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Breezin, a Catalina 34, and Base Camp, a Pearson 31, rafted up in Waterhole Cove for an overnight adventure including finding that illusive Waterhole. Photo Credit: Martina Sestakova
The search for the waterhole continued. Perhaps it was a short half mile walk up quaint and peaceful country roads. Our expedition was now searching for Lowes Wharf Bayside Grill 'waterhole.

After a short dinghy ride to the town pier our expedition of 3 sailors was now travelling on foot. We would stretch our legs and continue the adventure to find that illusive waterhole now hoping for frosty cold brews and orange crushes.

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the end of the pier we continued our journey up Sherwood Landing Road and eventually turned right on Lowes Wharf Road. We ran into locales tending to their gardens outside charming homes. After crossing Tilghman Island road and walking just a short distance, we discovered our waterhole, The Bayside Grill. Views of the Chesapeake Bay from their outdoor sand bar were picturesque with Poplar Island in the background. The bar was empty since it was a weekday, but I could imagine the spring break like scene of volleyball and corn hole being played with music blaring from speakers on the now empty stage. With a few drinks at the bar, the expeditions tanks were finally filled. We were ready to set out for the return walk back to our dinghy tied up at the pier, dinner on our boats and a few more drinks to finish out a perfect night and successful expedition in search of the waterhole.
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Our walk along the peaceful and less travelled Lowes Wharf Road in Sherwood, Maryland.
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Sun setting over Sherwood, Maryland, as we enjoyed a beautiful evening anchored in Waterhole Cove.
Aboard Base Camp, we are always looking for new and different adventures. This may include exploring a quaint shore-side town for local food and drinks after a long hot day on the water. Waterhole Cove was a perfect adventure mixture of water and shore-side time. Visiting a local attraction by boat always make the adventure much more fun.

Wish to join us on an adventure? Go to our Sail with us page and inquire.
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    Jordan Snyder

    Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. ~ Andre Gide

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