The rising sun made a grand entrance over South Carolina’s ACE Basin on Thursday.
Turn 180 degrees and the view wasn’t nearly as flashy, but the setting full moon casting a reflection in the canal was quite pretty.
South Carolina’s Ashepoo, Combahee and South Edisto (ACE) Basin represents one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the east coast of the United States.
It had been our intention to be at a different pond when the sun came up but between getting out the door a few minutes late and a truck ahead of us that was indecisive that didn’t happen. I don’t think our original destination could have been any prettier than this. Unless there was a bird, or two, in the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
Taken 10/14/2018
Morning Glories open to the rising sun on the edge of an old rice field pond.
10/14/2018, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
Up early to be in place at sunup with the hope of seeing Spoonbills, Pelicans and Wood Storks get ready for their day.
July 3, 2018, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC.
There were a few birds in the air as the sun was coming up Sunday morning, including this Great Blue Heron off in search of breakfast.
The sky displayed glorious colors for about five minutes. Click the image below for a larger view and you’ll see two birds just above and to the right of the sun.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, July 15, 2018.
Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS
There was a little fog rolling around the edges of the marsh as the sun inched its way up over the tree line.
The thick cloud bank at the horizon muted the colors.
When the sun had cleared the distant tree tops high wispy clouds mixed the blues and oranges in a delicate palette.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, July 15, 2018.
Sony Alpha-6500, Sony 20mm F/2.8 Lens
The hazy sunrise revealed a cloud line drawn across the sky.
This was another early trek with a less than spectacular sunrise, but the glow on the water was quite pretty.
A lone Snowy Egret stood with his back to the sun as it rose.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was all about orange.
Taking photographs of the rising or setting sun highlights just how quickly the earth moves. During the rest of the day you are hardly aware of this, but when working to position yourself in just the right spot at either end of daylight you feel like you are racing against the sun.
This Great Blue Heron seemed content with his chosen spot to watch the marsh start a new day. He stayed put until the sun was fully up and the glare kept me from seeing him.
Just four minutes after the first shot above, the photograph below was taken just before the sun would be blinding in my face.
