Biking around town, seeking that perfect shot

     3rd Avenue and Bayview Avenue in Seaside Park at 7:18 p.m. (Photo: Justin Auciello)

    3rd Avenue and Bayview Avenue in Seaside Park at 7:18 p.m. (Photo: Justin Auciello)

    I spent today’s evening golden hour on my beach cruiser in South Seaside Park and Seaside Park, cruising along the ocean road, down the side streets, and upstream on the bay. 

    In just a small area, I passed by colorful, traditional one-story beach cottages, modern beachfront mansions, a few sleepy restaurants with a some couples dining al fresco, seagrass filled bay beaches, a 114-year-old yacht club, and a rustic marina still packed with vessels.

    Barrier island living.  

    Always armed with my loyal iPhone, I snapped dozens of photos, capturing lighting contrasts, wildlife, and in one instance, an old tractor adorned with an American flag.

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    Photo therapy. 

    As a cold front was slowly pushing out to sea late afternoon, leaving scattered clouds in different shapes and sizes in its wake, I knew the golden hour was going to be special. 

    To me, clouds make a sunset, providing another layer of character to any composition. 

    So heading north along the bay road toward the Seaside Park Yacht Club just before sunset, where the tiny beach areas are defined by a mixture of reeds, dune grass, small trees, and coastal brush, I noticed a little boat with a miniature flag affixed to its mooring in the distance, blowing reeds along the beach, and the blazing sun just about to dip down. 

    “This is going to be the sunset shot,” I thought. 

    A few taps later, at 7:18 p.m, it was. 

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