I went down to Gullane beach yesterday evening, ruffled and creased from the week, not really expecting anything wonderful to take photos of. I almost didn’t take my camera, but as I bundled the three dogs into the car, something told me to go back and pick it up. I’m so glad I did, as just 10 minutes along the road it became clear there was going to be some beautiful light this evening.
These are two shots taken standing on the same spot as the sun sank slowly into the ocean and the distant sky. The beach had emptied of people shortly after I arrived, and other than a couple of other photographers I had this wonderful show of reflected light all to myself. The light softened and warmed and sent beautiful shadows and highlights across water, sand and rock. I was mesmerised and enchanted by this soft unexpected sunset. Transported somewhere far from the worries of the week just passed, lifted into an eternal space, where all can be set right by the wind and the waves. The day ended with a silk kiss across the shore, and I was swept up into its warm breath. I let go of the day without noticing and slid joyfully into the evening, into the gathering darkness, into the freedom of the weekend.
See more shots taken from two angles at the weekly photo challenge.
And remember to listen to that little wise voice within……she knows more than she lets on.
breathofgreenair 
Incredible shots, the rays are like the holy grail of the skies!
I do love seeing rays like this, or even single rays like the finger of god pointing down at earth 🙂
Me too 🙂
You’re at a really enviable neighbourhood to be able to say you hadn’t expected anything great to take photos of and then you end up like this. There may be 7 billion people less fortunate … but thanks for sharing what you see.
It’s one of the things I love about blogging, the chance to share the world I see….and some of my unusual and creative thoughts!
I always feel lucky to live where I do, with so many different environments right on my doorstep. And we do get some wonderful skies in Eastern Scotland, but its all very changeable and hard to predict. That’s true of life too I suppose 🙂
Number three is fantastic but they’re all good photos 😀
Thanks very much, I like the way number three turned out too 🙂
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Subtly different moods in each – lovely.
Thank you, the light was shifting quite rapidly, losing its warmth into the horizon.
A silk kiss across the sky… You are such s thrill to read my dear!
Why thank you….delighted to thrill 🙂
I felt transported to Gullane, and into that moment! Thank you.
My pleasure as always 🙂 Thanks for coming along!
Beautiful light. You speak of ‘warmth.’ Was it, infact, warm? The water looks cold at the very least. Thanks for passing along these delights for the eye. D
It was a lovely 20 degrees Celsius in the air, and the sea was warm enough for my toes to feel comfortable paddling…..this time of year the water has warmed up and in these shallow sand filled bays it stays a reasonable temperature. Once the sun goes down the air temp drops away quite quickly to around 15/ 16 degrees….but the water stays warm.
Glad you enjoyed the eye candy David 🙂
Stunning shots!
Thanks Livvy 🙂
these are fantastic! definitely one of my favorites. wow 🙂
Very kind, thank you 🙂
Both photos are very poetic.
Stunning light and takes, particularly the first one!
Thank goodness you took your camera. Beautiful shots!
Those rays are perfection! Great capture!!
Beautiful Blog!
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed what you’ve seen.
I did indeed !
Wonderful! I really like the shapes in the foreground rocks too. For me, the landscapes work better. There’s more depth in them somehow.
The rocks add a great layer to the beach….so much more interesting….landscape versus portrait is such a personal choice…but I tend to agree. They are called landscape for a reason after all 🙂
As I said in my post, all art is subjective! 🙂
Wonderful photos. There is something so magical about having a beach to yourself – especially at the beginning/end of the day. You’ve captured it beautifully.
Thanks Su, and I can only agree, there is a magic to the lack of people….it adds an extra layer of magic 🙂
“The day ended with a silk kiss across the shore” – love it (and the photos)
Well you can’t beat a silk kiss 🙂
Wow, really beautiful! Both of them! No matter how I look at them 🙂
Thanks Ese, I couldn’t decide myself 🙂
Don’t you LOVE having the beach to yourself! Those soft colours are compelling.
We’ve had a couple of so nice sunsets this week and I’ve wandered our estate like a waif and stray looking for the best shots. It’s setting again now but I may be too late. The beach at sunset though- that’s special. 🙂
Yes Jo, I love having the beach to myself….or any windswept spot in nature….I love the idea of you as a wandering waif…..conjures up great images of you clutching your camera. Been there myself 🙂
what that Seonaid touch might be….. – nature loving? Landscapes as if never human beings had been there …
Thanks Frizz, it’s always good to hear what it is that others connect with in photos…..it begins to help me find my style 🙂
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Absolutely amazing pictures. They have a kind of Seonaid-touch 😛
What an extraordinary experience it must have been to stand by ‘your sea’ yesterday. I wish you a joyful weekend.
All the best,
Hanna
Thank you Hanna, you have me curious now about what that Seonaid touch might be…..
It was a lovely way to end the week 🙂
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Just gorgeous!
Thanks Estafane, it was a beautiful sunset 🙂
Fantastic shots, Seonaid! Especially the sun rays of the first one, Wow!
Like giant golden eyelashes….that’s what I kept thinking 🙂
That’s it; I’m moving to Scotland.
Too funny Stephanie 🙂
As usual stunning.
Too kind Mrs Carmichael, so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Beautiful warm images. I love the third one down with the sun on the horizon to the left of the frame. The light radiates across the image and there is great balance between the sky with its subtle blue yellow detail and the sand at the bottom of the frame. Very nice indeed!!
Thanks, I took a few shots until the light on the sand seemed to balance with the light from the sky, and I loved the way it seeps in from the side….so glad you appreciate the composition 🙂
What a beautiful sunset.
Thanks Colline, it was a wonderful surprise treat to start the weekend 🙂
Beautiful pictures and words! I always look forward to your posts and love reading them.
Thank you, and what a lovely comment, it’s amazing to think of people looking forward to my posts….wow, you just made my weekend 🙂
🙂 I hope you have a fantastic weekend.
superlike the glimpse – your pictures always make my day 🙂
What a lovely comment, you just made my day back 🙂