They say the early bird gets the worm. Last week while in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I was able to get up at the crack of dawn a few times and was able to capture some pretty nice sunrises.
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We were staying in a house right on the beach and the third floor balcony afforded great views of the ocean. And every morning at about 4:30 am, the sky would start to lighten on the horizon.
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You have to be pretty patient when you photograph nature. You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will arise. And I spent a couple of hours up on that balcony those mornings when I got up at the crack of dawn.
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But it was interesting in those hours watching the sky and clouds change from minute to minute as the sun kept creeping closer to the horizon. What started out as almost black and dark purple changed to blue and soon that changed to gold and orange.
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It seemed like it took forever for the sun to creep up.
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Soon you could see where the sun would rise. The colors became bolder and brighter in that one singular spot on the horizon.
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And then it happened. There was a bright spot on the horizon. The sun started peeking through the distant clouds.
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And then it becomes brighter. And there is a glow surrounding the sun as it rises over the water.
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And the color changes minute by minute, going from golden to pinkish with a little blue coming through the clouds.
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And then that ball of gold distinguishes itself on the distant horizon.
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The sun gets brighter and brighter. And before you know it, the sun is sitting on the horizon. It all happens so quickly yet it seems like it has taken an eternity to get to this point.
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And then it is above the water, slowly starting another day in it’s journey across the sky as we continue our daily orbit around this most impressive star.
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Soon all will be bright, illuminated by this golden orb rising above the water.
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What will this day bring? What will this sun witness as it continues to rise higher and higher into the sky above us?
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Whatever that may be, it will be there again in the morning to do the same thing it has done since the beginning of time. It will rise again and delight us with another beautiful day, if we arise at the crack of dawn and choose to witness it for ourselves. It pays to be the early bird!
We moved to NC 10 years ago and we still haven’t made the trip to the Outer Banks, now I really want to go! I love your sunrise/sunrise pictures – they’re gorgeous!
Carrie,
Thanks! This was our first time going. All of my family members have been multiple times and I am glad I finally made the trip. There is so much to do and see in the Outer Banks and I can see why people go back year after year. I hope you get the opportunity to go.
Teresa