Thirty five million years ago a space rock gouged a crater as big as Rhode Island and as deep as the Grand Canyon in what is now called the lower Chesapeake Bay.

The glaciers, which got as close as northern Pennsylvania, slowly drained into the Susquehanna River, the waterway that gave birth to the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries.

What we locally refer to as The Peninsula is a finger of land surrounded by the James and York Rivers. At the Peninsula's southern tip the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay in a waterway called Hampton Roads that stretches to the North Carolina border.

The Bay's watershed encompasses six states and the District of Columbia and it is home to 16 million people and thousands of species of plants and animals. And me.

Yes, the Atlantic seaboard is the most densely populated corridor in the United States but tucked away within that urban melee is the historical triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, Virginia.

This is a great travel photography destination plus you can experience the history of America's birth to life ­- much as it was when those events unfolded.

Subjects here range widely but I find myself well equipped with wide-angle lenses and macro lenses, as well as my fast 70-200 and occasionally a 300mm f2.8. The longer fixed focal lengths are not too useful here unless you want to do some birding along Virginia's Eastern Shore -- which I will tell you about later. A fast-loading monopod is very useful as is a carbon fiber tripod that does not leave too big a footprint. Bring what you can comfortably carry. There is lots of walking to do. I personally use a Delsey PRO backpack, which is configured with a padded front compartment for my 12" APPLE G4 laptop and digital gear.

Here is what you will find

Jamestown Settlement and its archeological treasures is a special place. The three ships are fun to photograph and I always am challenged to find interesting light-driven images in those historical enclaves. Jamestown Island is also a delightful place with 3 and 5-mile tracks both for walking and cars.

Jamestown is connected to Williamsburg via the Colonial Parkway, which meanders gracefully along the mighty James River. From Williamsburg the Parkway bends eastwardly towards the York River and ends in Yorktown. It is a scenic 21-mile drive with lots of stopping off points replete with fishing and crabbing opportunities as well as nature looking. I love the Parkway and have many photographic memories of it in my archives.

Yorktown offers some very interesting images for the artistic eye. Yorktown, as you know, was the site of one of the most decisive battles of the American Revolution. That's where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to American and French allies after being defeated by General George Washington.

If you are a war buff you will love the whole historic triangle area ­ there are re-enactments going on year-round and living history museums will get your attention. The shopping and cuisine is above average to eloquent, with prices to match. It is NOT a budget location by any stretch.

The City of Williamsburg is a special place in its own right. The College of William and Mary and its Christopher Wren Building is a lovely destination for photography, as is nearby Colonial Williamsburg. We rarely have snow here but occasionally we have some spectacular snowstorms that blanket these hallowed halls. Gorgeous formal gardens blanket us in flowers for most of the rest of the year. While most everyone visits the Colonial Palace, I tend to bypass the museum parts and head straight for its exquisite formal gardens out back. These are not to be missed.

Depending upon the season you choose to visit, there are unique images to be had. The Christmas season is a particularly picturesque season to be here. People travel from far a field to experience the Wreaths of Williamsburg, which are della Robbia ornaments made entirely of natural ingredients. That, and the lighting of the community Christmas tree, costumed choralers, festive parades and outdoor music venues are huge draws. I love the crowds which are photogenic in their own right.

 

Colonial Williamsburg is a bit proprietary about photography and you can expect NOT to be able to take tripods and big gear into its museums, or use flash inside. But not to worry, join locals as well as tourists from around the world on scenic Duke of Gloucester Street day or night and you will feel that you have found Nirvana. The sights and sounds and smells to be hand there are fantastical.

In the springtime the flowering Dogwoods are gorgeous. And throughout the summer months there are popular outdoor concerts on 'Dog' Street, which is a mile-long walking street that stretches between the majestic Colonial Capital and William and Mary's equally majestic Christopher Wren Building.

But that's not all

Take a drive along Route 5 into Charles City County and explore the James River Plantations, more lovely denizens from the past. Just over the York River Bridge into Gloucester County, in the other direction, the Severn, York, North, Piankatank and Ware rivers, with their countless inlets, lure water lovers. Wooden working fishing boats are moored everywhere.

The area also hosts Busch Gardens Williamsburg. And next door to that is Water Country USA. Both offer challenging photography opportunities.

The weather is not consistent throughout the region so on a rainy day in the Historic Triangle you could head southward to Norfolk, about an hour's drive. Norfolk has a wonderful waterfront as well as Nauticus, an acclaimed maritime museum. Nearby is Portsmouth with its nearly 80 miles of shoreline and sheltered harbour that is just 18 miles from the open sea.

Virginia Beach, a summer favorite, has 28 miles of public beaches and great restaurants.

The Outer Banks is still more South and it hosts a 130-mile string of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast. It is an easy trek there but you would want to plan to stay overnight, at least one night! You'll hate it if you don't.

Finally, there is Virginia's Eastern Shore which lies just across the 26-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. (This bridge itself is fun to cross!) The Eastern Shore is one of the best autumn bird watching spots in the nation even though is it less well-known than internationally famous Cape May, New Jersey. Here is the place for your long lenses!

The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and Kiptopkeke State Park have a good visitor's center with a lookout platform for dawn bird-watching.

The challenge for the savy travel photographer is to try to find that shot that no one else has found. You have to be patient and relaxed, and take the shots when they come. Just be prepared in this part of the world for wide-ranging subjects! And think big.

As I see it, travel photography is poorly named; if anything, images garnered while traveling reflect the photographer and his or her vision, not merely the locale. Send twenty pros to Williamsburg and they will see what they see ­ and none of their images will be the same. Where one sees contrasts, another sees light, and yet another sees patterns, or people enjoying themselves. We bring our own unique vision with us when we travel. I know that I can 'find' images that totally escape other photographers because I know the area inside out, which is an advantage. I also come to it with a love for the underlying history of the place.

But, while I want you all to come to the 'Burg, I also want you to remember that your own backyard is important, too. You know it best. Take full advantage of that.