sandbridge pier - virginia beach, va

click to view my images of sandbridge pier
sandbridge pier is located in little island park in south virginia beach.  the area is popular with surfers and is a beautiful spot to capture the sunrise.  if you are lucky, you may see dolphins swimming along the coastline.

external links:
little island park website
google map of sandbridge pier

chippokes plantation state park - surry county, va

click to view my images of chippokes plantation
chippokes plantation is one of the oldest working farms in the united states.  there is much to see of the plantations historic buildings and equipment, but i always find myself drawn to the 1.5 miles of beach front on the james river.  expect to find few people and many eagles, hawks, and sea birds if you arrive here near sunrise. 

external links:
chippokes plantation state park website 
google map of chippokes plantation state park 

cedar hill cemetery - suffolk, va

click to view my images of cedar hill
cedar hill cemetery (1802) is on the national register of historic places and is the final resting place for many confederate soldiers.  visitors can drive or walk into the cemetery at the east end of mahan street.  since there is no parking in the cemetery, i recommend finding on-street parking and walking in.  Open daily dawn to dusk. 

external links:
google map of cedar hill cemetery

kiptopeke state park - cape charles, va

click to view my images of kiptopeke
A breakwater formed by nine sunken world war II concrete ships adds photographic interest to the 500 acres and 1 mile of chesapeake bay beachfront that makes up kiptopeke state park.  The east facing beachfront makes this an ideal place to explore near sunset.  Be prepared to pay a $12 toll to cross the chesapeake bay bridge, $5 to get back (save your receipt), and $4 to enter the park on the weekends.  kiptopeke is home of the coastal virginia wildlife observatory that studies migratory birds and raptors in this important flyway.

external links:
coastal virginia wildlife observatory
kiptopeke state park website
google map of kiptopeke

ragged island wildlife management area - carrollton, va

click to view my images of ragged island
ragged island wma consists of 1500 acres of mashland on the south bank of the james river.  a rugged trail through the woods begins at the parking area across from the convenience store.  The more scenic boardwalk trail can be accessed from the north parking area (across from the campground).  

external links:
goatlockerguns' flickr photos of ragged island
ragged island wma website
google map of ragged island wma

grandview nature preserve - hampton, virginia

click to view my images of grandview
grandview is one of my favorite places to photograph in hampton roads.  it is 2 1/2 miles of secluded and lightly travelled chesapeake bay beachfront.  sanderlings and herons are commonly seen here.  groups of brown pelicans often fly the beach line shortly after sunrise.

the park is open sunrise to sunset.  limited parking is available along state park drive.  you will reach the beach after a 300 yard walk along the park's service road.

external links:
johnmiller613's flickr photos of grandview
kristine hamilton's flickr photos of grandview
tony prater (hampton, va)'s flickr photos of grandview
google map of grandview