Sunrise on Santa Rosa Island at 6:55 a.m.
Sunsets, sunrises, sea oats, beach, waves. . . all create moments of beauty and quiet that touch the spirit. Such moments punctuated our recent camping trip to the Florida section of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Pensacola Bay was on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.
Capturing images that express those moments and that rise above the cliché is challenging. Clichés or not, the photos I brought home are cherished reminders of special moments.
Sun and sea oats at 7 a.m.
Sixteen minutes later the sun touched the remains of trees that testify to the effects of hurricanes and saltwater.
Skeletons at sunrise
Blue skies and cool breezes helped, but a bike ride along the beach road let me know how out of shape I am. I took a long time trying to get a good photo of the abundant butterflies, especially the Gulf fritillaries. Hey, it was a great excuse to rest for awhile!
Fritillary
On a walk to the bay side, on still wobbly legs, we collected, unintentionally, some familiar hitchhikers on socks and athletic shoes.
Sand spurs
Less than 12 hours after our sunrise safari, we were once again on the Gulf of Mexico side of the island for sunset. I love the graceful lines of those sea oats silhouetted by the setting sun.
Sea oats at 6:21 p.m.
Goodnight to the sun, sinking below the horizon at 6:26 p.m.
watched the sun come up, then go down, all the time i was hearing the rustle of the sea oats, smelling the salt air and hearing the lapping water. all from my chair. thanks
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are absolutly divine! My favorites are the first two! I have never heard of sand spurs, they look really nasty! What an amazingly clear shot of the beautiful fall butterfly!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs! Now I want to go back to the beach! By the way, your little grandson sure is growing, as well as his camera-shy sister!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question about my Madison riding her bike--No, she still refuses to ride the bike and the Big Wheel--just like her mother did when she was young.
Wonderful photographs to cheer up a dark, dreich, wet evening in Scotland. Thanks for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos! And I had such a nice time scrolling down your page. As to the "45 Lessons", use them and with my blessing. Aren't they wonderful?!
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