Location: Mascot Dock, Patchogue, New York
Date Taken: January 6, 2024
Purple and Pink Sunrise
This was an incredible unexpected delight.
It was a brisk yet peaceful January morning. I awoke at 4 am, knowing rain or snow was on the horizon, and was greeted by a chilly 27 degrees Fahrenheit, but there was something stirring inside me, a yearning for adventure. Getting dressed in the dim light and grabbing my camera felt like second nature. With the car keys in hand, I felt a surge of excitement. Where would today take me? With sunrise still a few hours away, the world was my oyster.
I found myself driving through Patchogue, a town I hadn't explored much before, drawn southward toward the bay. Memories of photos seen on social media danced in my mind as I contemplated potential locations. The Marina seemed promising with its iconic lighthouse. Yet, my plans were dashed when I found it closed. Undeterred, I continued my journey, navigating the streets in search of a spot to park and soak in the dawn.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, I found myself frustrated by the lack of parking. Later, I'd realize it was just a matter not reading the signs correctly, but in the darkness, it felt like a setback. Note to self: always scout a location before the big photo op. Eventually, I stumbled upon a parking lot near Lombardi's on the Bay. With my camera slung over my shoulder, I set off towards the water, relieved to have finally found a dock nearby.
With the tripod set up and the sky starting to blush with pinks and purples, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I cursed myself for forgetting gloves but pressed on, determined to capture the fleeting beauty before the colors changed. That first photo of the morning felt like a triumph.
As I snapped away, two joggers passed by, breaking the silence. "How did you know it was going to be a great sunrise?" one of them asked. The truth was, I didn't. Nature has a mind of its own. But with a smile, I replied, "there's a storm in the forecast," knowing there was some truth to the old saying about red skies in the morning.
The next couple of hours were a blur as I watched the sky transform from hues of pink and purple to fiery oranges and reds, then soft yellows and blues, until finally fading into grey...
Little did we know how the storm later that day that would hit us with so much rain, washing away the serenity of the morning.
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Additional Photos from that morning:
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