Another image just before sunrise on at Botany Bay, August 4th, with an unidentified bird waiting for the day to start.

The direction away from the sun as it rises often provides a show equal to or better than the sunrise itself. On this morning the clouds didn’t catch any color but it sure was pretty. Gulls in the air and Pelicans skimming the surf added to the scene, taken about 15 minutes before sunrise.
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
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