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Spring Equinox Sunset
The spring equinox, aka the vernal equinox, occurred earlier in the week, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is the first of two days each year when the sun illuminates equally in the Northern and Southern hemishperes. The other day of each year is the Autunmal Equinox to start the fall season.
Halfway through the equioxal sunset from the beach. Unseasonably cooler temperatures, leftover from the weekend cold front, started the spring season with brisk temperatures and a steady breeze all day.
We hesitated about going to the sunset but instead decided to layer up for the short walk to the bridge at the entrance of the beach.
Sea grape leaves and sea oats view of the sunset Luckily, we stood behind the row of sea grape trees that line the north side of the bridge. The trees provide protection from the cold northern winds.
The sun dropped below the horizon It was a short visit to the beach due to the weather. A few pictures were snapped, and after the sunset, we headed to the warmth of the house.
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Untraditional Thanksgiving
Most people celebrate the holidays with their families and friends. I recall the days when the entire family would travel to the family’s homestead for a feast meant for kings.
Long gone are the days of the huge family gatherings due to the distances and the passage of time. Every year, my family celebrates the day with a traditional feast.
But this year, there would not be the traditional day of feast for us. My family traveled across the country to spend the holiday with other family members..
Instead, my partner and I hopped on a sailboat to celebrate the holiday. Once we reached our destination, the anchor was dropped and the grill was fired up to cook our feast. All of the ingredients were prepared at home to be grill ready.
Right before the sunset from the sailboat Very few other boats were out, so it was very peaceful on the water. While waiting for our feast to finish, I was enjoying the fact that we were sitting on the sailboat for Thanksgiving. I nearly forgot about the sunset.
Sunset from the sailboat Minutes later, our feast was ready. As we ate, dolphins swam by about 6 feet behind the stern and then down the starboard side. It was the most untraditional Thanksgiving.
We decided to start a new tradition.
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Moonset and a flower
On this particular morning, the moon was due to set 15 minutes before the sunrise. This was a worthy reason to get out of bed.
So just before dawn, I walked outside to head to the beach. First thing, I find a beautiful blooming flower from the cereus cactus.
Cereus cactus with flower bloom The middle of the brilliant white petals was filled with lime green filaments and sparkly anthers, these stamans also disguised the pistil. The sepals or green outer petals were starting to close.
I snapped a few pictures since I knew before I returned, the flower would be completely closed. The cereus cactus flower only blooms at night.
As I walked to the beach, there was not any signs of the full moon in the sky. Only the pre-dawn gray tint filled the skies above.
It wasn’t until I crossed the bridge to the shore that the bright neon orb appeared before me just above the horizon.
The beginning of the moonset Soon the moon touched the horizon, and it started to melt into the gulf, just like a scoop of ice cream on a plate.
The melting moon Within two minutes, the moon had melted away,
The early morning walk was well worth the trip.
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Sunset October 6th
The sun sinking behind the clouds 
Birds flying in the sunset -
Autumn Equinox Sunset
The autunmal equinox marks the first day of autumn or fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of two days every year when the sun illuminates equally in the Northern and Southern hemishperes.
The sun touches the horizon 
A closeup of the halfway down sun that paints the sky orange. 
After the sunset, the horizon glows. The equioxal sunset from the beach shore last nigh did not disappoint as it was free of clouds and alive with vivid colors.
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Sunsets of September
September sunsets never disappoint.
The rainy season gives us beautiful sunsets or gray skies. Below are beautiful sunsets from the first week of September.
Sunset September 1 
Sunset September 3 
Sunset September 4 
Sunset September 5 -
Sunset at the marina
Viewing the sunset in a new spot provides a different perspective.
On a few occasions, I’ve had the pleasure of watching the sunset while sitting dockside at a local marina. And it is absolutely amazing.
Beginning of sunset at marina The masts of sailboats line the marina across the horizon.
Sunset from sailboat in marina In the sky, different colors blend together while the clouds are accentuated by the remnants of the sunlight.
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Sunset of late August
Beginning of the sunset 
After the sunset brings twilight 
Twilight -
Sunset before summer storm
Sunset before summer storms The storm clouds hid the sunset tonight, but glimpses of the sun hung just above the clouds on the horizon,
The reflections from the sky appeared as bands of rays accross the Gulf of Mexico. Soon the rays disappeared as the summer storms rolled in,
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Sunset after April storm
A cold front rolled through the area today bringing spring storms with high winds, heavy rain, and dangerous lightning. Besides the cooler temps, the weather system created a drab cloudy day.
The odds of seeing a sunset on days like today are slim to none.
Clouds opening up As the day was ending, the clouds opened up near the horizon.
The sunset on the gulf The opening in the clouds was painted in several shades of orange. The sun looked like a big ball of fire slowly dropping below the horizon.
After the sunset on the gulf After the sun disappeared, the orange faded as darkness overtook the sky.
And the day came to an end with a rare glimpse of a beautiful sunset.
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April’s fury
The month of April went out in a fury. Most of the month saw perfect spring-like weather with lots of sunshine and ideal temperatures.
The Friday before the end of the month, a storm system blew through the area and stayed until the first of May.
Thunderstorms brought strong winds, hail, and occasional downpours along with lower temperatures.
On the first day of the storm, the sunset did not appear. The next day was another dreary day, and the sunset would probably be blocked by the grey skies.
We skipped the sunset and headed for a bite to eat at the restaurant next to the local marina.
While dining, we looked through the masts of the sailboats to see the sun peeking through the clouds. Within minutes, different shades of orange painted the entire sky.
Sunset at the marina The vivid colors were a beautiful change from the drab cloudy skies.
When we left the restaurant, the orange sky began to fade. We headed to the beach to catch the remnants of the sunlight.
After the sunset When we arrived at the beach, the waves from the gulf roared onto the shore. The darkness appeared to be eating the remainder of the sunset. But the reflections of the sunset could still be seen on the water’s edge.
Yet, it was calm.
Nothing is better than seeing a sunset after a dreary rainy day. Try it sometime.
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A sunset and a sailboat
It’s a beautiful thing to watch the sunset on the beach. The sound of the waves, the breeze in my hair, and sand on my toes make it real.
The sunset from the beach. The sunset becomes even more appealing when a sailboat floats into our seascape.
Before you know it, cameras pop up in the air with beach-goers snapping pictures of the boat sailing through the remains of the sunset. This included myself as well.
Then you think about being on that sailboat. That would be different than standing on the beach.
Close up of a sunset with a sailboat Imagine…. Sitting on a sailboat on the gulf as the sun sinks below the horizon. There is nothing blocking your view. You feel the breeze in your hair, mists on your face, and you’re going to where the wind in the sails takes you.
Sounds pretty nice to me.
To be honest, I fell in love with sailing after my first sunset cruise. Luckily, I see more sunsets on a sailboat nowadays.
Viewing the sunset from the beach is one of the best places to watch the sunset. But being on a sailboat ranks even higher on my list of places to watch sunsets.
Hmm. Maybe I should make a list.
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Cooler sunsets
The air has been crisp the last few days. A cold front arrived three days ago which brought the coldest temperatures in eight months. Brrr.
After months with 80 degree temperatures, the first few cooler sunsets are hard to take. Yet we persevere.
Twilight phase of the sunset from the shore Most of the sunset crew wears winter jackets during the first few cooler weather sunsets. A few of us even celebrate the coolers temps, thankful that heat has left for a few days. Then we adjust.
Before long, we’re back to wearing sweatshirts to view the sunsets in the below normal temperatures.
Sunset Afterglow with sea oats in the foreground Regardless of the number on the thermometer, the sun will still set on the horizon.
And hopefully, we will see the sunset once more tomorrow.
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