North Landing River's Gentle Embrace: A Sunset Photography Boat Tour

May 29

A wide panoramic shot of the North Landing River at sunset in Virginia Beach, with calm water reflecting the colorful sky and distant trees — *North Landing River, Virginia Beach*

While the Saltwater Retreat in Virginia Beach offered a wealth of photographic opportunities from the pier to the gardens, one experience truly stood out was the sunset boat tour on the North Landing River with Moore to See Expeditions. This wasn't just another shoot; it was a journey into a different side of coastal Virginia, a tranquil escape where nature's beauty unfolded before our very eyes.

Wispy clouds reflected in the still, dark water of a Pocosin Marsh, surrounded by green reeds and trees at dusk — *Reflected Clouds and Pocosin Marsh*

A vibrant male Red-winged Blackbird perched on a thin marsh reed, showcasing its distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches — *Red-winged Blackbird*

A serene view of a Pocosin Swamp with dark, still water reflecting cypress trees, under a soft, twilight sky — *Pocosin Swamp*

A detailed close-up of a delicate purple Swamp Iris bloom with green leaves, growing by the water's edge — *Swamp Iris*

Leaving the ocean behind, we embraced the peace of the river, where the calm waters became our canvas. As we glided along, we were immediately enveloped by the ancient grandeur of the river's ecosystem. The rare Bald Cypress - Tupelo Swamp gracefully framed the shoreline, creating a picturesque boundary to this vital waterway.

Ancient Bald Cypress and Tupelo trees with their distinctive buttressed trunks rise from the dark, reflective waters of a swamp on the North Landing River — *Bald Cypress - Tupelo Swamp, North Landing River, Virginia Beach*

One of the most captivating aspects of the tour was the incredible wildlife viewing. We spent a significant amount of time observing my favorite raptor, the osprey. Our guide expertly positioned the boat, allowing us to watch these skilled hunters with fascination as they took off and landed from their channel marker nests, their powerful wings beating against the glowing sky. It was a masterclass in birdwatching, offering fantastic opportunities for capturing their impressive flight and fishing prowess. And the excitement didn't stop there; we were also incredibly fortunate to spot majestic bald eagles perched high in the trees, their white heads standing out against the green foliage, overseeing their domain.

An Osprey standing prominently in its large stick nest built atop a tall pole, silhouetted against a soft evening sky on the North Landing River — *Osprey in nest, North Landing River, Virginia Beach, VA*

A distant view of a lone Osprey flying with powerful wings over the calm waters of the North Landing River at sunset

An Osprey in mid-air, wings spread wide, as it prepares to land gracefully on its nest at the North Landing Rive

A close-up of a large Osprey nest, intricately woven with sticks, showing the details of its construction against the sky — *Osprey landing on nest, North Landing River, Virginia Beach, VA*

A majestic Bald Eagle perched high on a bare tree branch, looking intently over the North Landing River landscape — *Bald Eagle, North Landing River, Virginia Beach, VA*

As the sun began its final descent, the sky transitioned into a calm blue sunset. The deep, serene tones of the blue hour skies reflected perfectly on the calm water of the river, creating a mirror image that was simply breathtaking. The peaceful boat ride allowed us to soak in every moment of this tranquil farewell, culminating our week of chasing light with a profound sense of calm and visual splendor. It was an absolutely unforgettable way to cap off our retreat, reminding us of the diverse beauty that Virginia Beach's natural waterways hold.

A small boat with people aboard, enjoying a peaceful ride on the North Landing River as the sun sets, casting a warm glow on the water — *Sunset Boat Ride, North Landing River, Virginia Beach, VA*

A serene scene of the North Landing River at dusk, with fading light reflecting off the still water and the silhouettes of distant trees — *Dusk, North Landing River, Virginia Beach, VA*

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Jennifer Carr

Jennifer Carr is a photographer who splits her time between the Outer Banks and the Pacific Northwest, with camera in hand and a passion for sharing the joy of photography. She's also a mentor, guiding others to discover their unique visual style. Explore her workshops and retreats at The Saltwater Retreat and Mentoring & Lessons.

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http://www.jennifercarrphotography.com