The other day I was going to the public bathroom at the campground in Ft. Clinch, and I saw a mom approaching with a young toddler in tow.
As I was using the facilities, I heard her take the toddler with her into the family/handicap stall and they were both chattering with each other. It was so sweet the conversation she had going on with the small boy. He was happily chattering back to her. She used the facilities and then I continued to listen while I was washing up. She, too was washing up and then I heard the air dryer go on in there and when it quit, it was dead silence… for a moment… then you hear from the toddler…
DO IT AGAIN!! DO IT AGAIN!!
Mom laughed, and so did I. So, mom did it again… and again. She made the air dryer go on over and over just for the delight of the child. She was still doing it over and over as I left the restroom. She could still be there doing it again as far as I know! I wasn’t even his mom, and I also wanted to “do it again”, just to hear his joy and awe.
The exuberant joy emanating from the toddler as he discovered something new, and exciting was something I want to have every day. Everyday I discover a new and exciting sunrise or sunset, a new Canada Goose gliding up beside me and wanting to be friends, as I see the light hit the cables of the newest bridge I’ve discovered…. I want to yell…do it again!… do it again!!! And I thank God everyday that he gives me something new and exciting to experience. Every day a new sunrise or sunset, or a new food to try or a new friend to experience.
The sunset above was taken at Fernandina Beach after a storm. I was in awe of this coloring and cloud cover. This was shot with my cell phone, as I had not brought all my gear to the beach this time. (Shame on me for not being prepared.) But I WAS there and still had my phone camera.
Shooting tip: I got down low to the ground to capture the wave action and the reflection and put the camera in wide angle mode to get all the clouds, the color and the impact of the water and reflections. I waited for the waves to recede to make sure I captured the reflections from the sky.
Post Processing tip: I used the levels in Photoshop to bring down the darks just a tiny bit and the midtones I shifted downward just a tad as well. I used the burn tool to darken the upper left corner by itself, as it was just still too bright and pulling my eye away from the main area of interest. Straightening the horizon and applying lens corrections to the image was the last thing to be done.
Hope you enjoy the sunset as much as I did and that you discover something today that gives you joy.