The Yowell's wonderful beach house where we stayed is the red-roofed beauty.

Looking south along the western shore of Chesapeake bay from Governors Run in Port Republic.

Vine flowers line the shores and climb the cliffs throughout the area.

Fall is already afloat on the waters of the Patuxent River.

A jellyfish in the briny Patuxent River.

From the wharf at Stoney's crab house on Broome Island, this shot was taken at magic hour across the Patuxent River.

Sunrise over Chesapeake, July 24, 2007.

Unindentified cobalt butterfly.

Monarch butterflies were not terribly common while we were at Chesapeake, but this one posed for me.

The monarch's majestic profile.

Tiger swallowtails were fairly common visitors.

This hummingbird sat on a branch and allowed me to within about 10 feet to take a series of close-ups.

The fishing pier at Governors Run.

BassMan and son fish side-by-side and yet separate.

Silver spotted skippers were plentiful, but they never would open their wings for me.

Zebra swallowtails posed for me daily.

This zebra is just ready for lift-off.

Trees on the bayside cliffs are home to bald eagles like this one, along with golden eagles, ospreys, and turkey buzzards.

This white M hairstreak butterfly is very rare. I'm honored it posed for me, although it wouldn't open its wings.

The picture window in the upstairs bathroom shower of the Yowell's beach house.

I'm laying on the bed shooting up to the ceiling of the master bedroom at the Yowell's beach house, a room I dubbed "The Wedgewood Room."

The downstairs living room was plush, with oriental wool carpets, a large plasma TV, and wood-burning fireplace.

The spacious upstairs loft had a computer station set into a picture window overlooking the bay. I'd like to write my next novel sitting right there.

Seafood platter my brother-in-law prepared in the low-country boil tradition.

Magic hour looking north from the deck on the beach house.

Magical moon over a magical place.

A yellow flycatcher posed for me the day before we left.

Sunrise on our last morning at Chesapeake Bay, July 27, 2007.