• Sunset after April storm

    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.

  • Spring Equinox Sunset

    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.

  • Untraditional Thanksgiving

    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.

  • Moonset and a flower

    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.

  • Sunset October 6th

    Sunset  October 6th
    The sun sinking behind the clouds
    Birds flying in the sunset
  • Autumn Equinox 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.

  • Sunsets of September

    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

    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.

  • Sunset of late August

    Sunset of late August
    Beginning of the sunset
    After the sunset brings twilight
    Twilight
  • Sunset before summer storm

    Sunset before summer storm
    The sunset from the gulf beach with summer storm clouds reflect in the water
    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,

  • Sunset of August 13th

    Sunset of August 13th

    Tonight’s sunset colored the sky and water many shades of orange.

    Half of Sun below horizon
    Sunset completely below the horizon.
  • Sunset under dark clouds

    Sunset under dark clouds

    Viewing the sunset a few seconds before the sun dropped below the horizon, the golden sky offsets the dark clouds and aqua gulf.

    Close up of Sunset under dark clouds

    After the sun passes hehind the clouds before it sets, neon orange is painted accross the horizon while the gulf is dyed aqua green.

    Another amazing sunset.

  • Sunset after rain

    Last glimpse of the sun at the beach

    The last day of April brought rain showers on an otherwise grey overcast day.

    After the rain ended shortly before the sunset, the sun popped out from behind the clouds and produced a little bit of color.

  • Sunset 4 years today

    Sunset 4 years today
    Sunset from 2018 on January 25

    The sunset of four years today as the sun touches the horizon.

    The sun’s reflection displays vividly on the edge of the surf while a dotted line is painted in the water towards the beach. All this as a sailboat drifts by at a distance.

    After the sunset in 2018 on January 25

    Fours years ago, after the sun dropped below the horizon, the bright orange colors and the relections diminish.

    Right now it’s an unusual cold day in the subtropical state of Florida on the 25th day of the first month of the year 2022. Below normal temperatures with cloud covered skies are producing rain showers with little chance of sunshine. 

    While trying to stay warm, wrapped in my warm crocheted blanket, I reviewed my photo archives to bring some sun and warmth into my life. 

    I discovered these beautiful sunset pictures taken four years ago today. Both images presented some moments of sun and warmth on this cold and dreary day.

    Maybe today for you, some sun and warmth will fill a few moments of your day as these pictures have filled mine.

  • Winter Sunset

    Close up of Sun with orange sky

    The sun dropped through the lines of the clouds creating an orange sky.

    The Sunset January 15, 2022

    As the sun dropped below the horizon,, the sky slowly lost it’s orange colors.

    After the sunset

    While most color has faded, the reflection of the sun shines brightly on the horizon.

  • Sunday sunset

    Sunday sunset
    Just after the Sunset

    Right after the sunset, the sky is painted in pastel, with the bright yellow reflected from the sun below the horizon.

    Sunday’s sunset usually does not disappoint. You never know what to expect, but it’s almost always good.

    Friends and neighbors meet at the beach for the sunset on Sundays. It has become a ritual for some of us.

    The closer that nightfall approaches, the brighter the sky becomes. The pastel colors change into neon splashes across the sky.

    Just before nightfall

    Friendships have grown during this short time of the day. We’ve watched the children grow, and sobbed when friends have left or lost.

    The best part is there is no drama, everyone is happy to be at the beach sunset.

  • Sunset after rain

    Sunset after rain
    Sunset after thunderstorm
    Treasure Island FL
    August 16, 2021
  • Sunset

    Sunset
    Sunset
    After the sunset
  • Afterglow of Sunset

    Afterglow of Sunset
    Treasure Island Sunset – November 8, 2020

    The beauty at the beach after the the sun drops below the horizon.