Beach Walk

One of the things that I have been unable to do since opening the studio is get out and shoot pictures. Most of the past six weeks has been spent ordering supplies, printing photos and searching through the myriad of files on my hard drive for acceptable images. I have missed sneaking off with my camera in search of the light.

I determined that Tuesday was the day. I set my alarm for 5 a.m. (non morning folks need not apply) and after two cups of coffee to assure I was alert enough to drive I headed out the door. Dawn was just breaking by the time I arrived on Marco's south beach.

Morning had arrived in soft pastels that reflected off of the calm gulf waters. The ebbing tide was paradise for shore birds on the hunt for their morning meal.

Morning light is soft, dominated by blues and kissed with a touch of gold from the rising sun. In a matter of minutes the cool blues are replaced with the warmer tones of a sun sitting close to the horizon. Photographers must work quickly or risk losing the light and possibly the shot of a lifetime.

The low tide also revealed shells washed ashore from the previous night's high tide. I found this Fighting Conch dragging itself along the cool moist sand on its way back to the sea. I used to jump when I inadvertently scooped up a shell with a real live critter still inside. Now I carefully turn them over and check before pocketing a pristine find. I have learned that if they look too good to be true chances are they are still inhabited.

I'm not certain I captured any usable photos on this Tuesday morning, but I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and observing sea life and shore birds in their natural element.

Life is good.