Friday, August 29, 2008

Skywatch Friday

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. -- Jacques Cousteau

This weekend marks the 'official' end of the summer season here at the Jersey Shore; after Monday, the beaches will be free: free of outsiders and free of daily fees. People begin to flee. They leave the summer rentals towing their sailboats behind them. Birds flee; shorebirds depart as migrating ducks begin to arrive, egrets find maps in their pursuit of summer to the south.

We breath a sigh of relief because the beach can be ours again; ours for a quiet sunset walk along the bay or a day spent oceanside soaking up the September sun. After Labor Day is the best time here. Warm days and cool nights.

Horseshoe Cove at Sandy Hook is one of my favorite places to watch the sunset over the bay. I have hundreds of sunset pictures from there. That trio of similar forms silhouetted against the setting sun is what remains of one of the many coastal defense fortifications from WWI that dot Sandy Hook. In summer, there's always a tern or two perched there and some cormorants or gulls. Off in the far distance at the horizon is the pier at Naval Weapons Station Earle. There's often a battleship there on the bay.

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15 comments:

chrome3d said...

Your photo perfectly captures the melancholy/reliefed end of the season mood in it´s gentle tones.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

fantastic picture so relaxing.

Berit T said...

Beautiful photo, and i love this color in sunset.

Anonymous said...

Nice. And I agree, beaches are much nicer in the off season.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Beautiful, mellow tones with a touch of light!

Anonymous said...

I really like this post for sky watch. Nice photo.

My Sky Watch photo is at Canon Pixels

Louise said...

Beautiful photo. It looks like summer's end. Enjoy your beach to yourself!

bobbie said...

Lovely sea and sunset. This is the time here, in NJ, when we breathe a collective sigh of relief. Yes, you're right. Now it's OUR beach again.

NCmountainwoman said...

Lovely shot of the sea.

Kelly said...

Beautiful sunset and sea photo! I'm glad you all have your beach back to yourselves again! I can certainly understand that it must be frustrating with all the tourists during the summer.

I really enjoyed the quote that you added under the picture. I always loved watching Jacques Cousteau! Very appropriate!

imac said...

What a beautiful shot, nows the time to come for holidays.

Anonymous said...

Nothing like the Jersey shore...been a long time...tahnks for sharing this shot and your commentary.

KGMom said...

The best combination of all--the sea, and sunsets.
Thanks for a lovely reminder of true beauty.

carlamaldita said...

postcard perfect!
you're very lucky to be living here.
if you have time hope you could drop by my site and view my skywatch post.

Jean said...

Quelle belle lumière !