i had to fly to catch you [explore + front page]

I highly recommend pressing L to view this in Lightbox.

After I got off of work yesterday I quickly made my way out to the coast to try to catch what seemed to be shaping up to be a really killer sunset. I had plans to get farther south than this spot (San Gregorio), but there road to the coast is one lane in each direction...and I got stuck behind a big slow truck. Once I hit the coast road, I tried to hurry to get as far south as I could, but by the time I hit San Gregorio I could see the sun was quickly taking a nosedive over the horizon. Not a problem - San Gregorio State Beach is a great spot in its own right. Due to storms and unusually high tides a few weeks ago, there was A TON of wood debris on the beach. In fact, getting to the beach itself meant climbing over much of this debris.

It wasn't a super colorful sunset, but I loved the way the thick clouds broke in spots to allow rays of golden light to shine through. And the ocean looked a bit angry, so I quickly ditched the idea of taking HDR shots and instead set out to capture the drama shaping up in the sky and the ocean.

I'd like to thank the flock of seagulls for being in the perfect spot to be included in the photograph. How considerate!

Prints, mugs, heck...even mouse pads :) here: smu.gs/YZkXIb

Thank you for your visits and comments. Please feel free to add notes to any of my images.

I do a lot of HDR processing. All of my HDR photos can be found here.

I shoot with a Nikon D800. All my D800 photos are right here.

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Comments and faves

  1. ★

    per. k., Kirotea, anger_metallist, lukeryan, and 550 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. elmofoto (5 months ago | reply)

    A cooler toned version of the same image:

    what can blue do for you | san gregorio, ca

  3. per. k. (5 months ago | reply)

    Wow amazing shot very beautiful golden colors......

  4. Laurence  (5 months ago | reply)

    You ended up with a great seascape anyway! I love this beach.

    Great waves in the background. Beautiful light (as usual) and color. Love the rays of the Sun and the reflection. I would say by the height of the waves breaking close to shore, the tide was pretty high.

  5. AnZanov (5 months ago | reply)

    luce stupenda!!

  6. Pablo Buitrago Ángel (5 months ago | reply)

    This is an amazing shot Lorenzo.
    The golden tones that you captured are fascinating.
    Nice timing!

  7. Emre BAŞ (5 months ago | reply)

    Excellent shot..
    Congrats..

  8. elmofoto (5 months ago | reply)

    Thank you!

    Thanks, Mark. I think so, but I didn't check the tides before heading out. I'll tell you, the beach was covered with wood debris. I think the supertides of a few weeks ago and a few storms since really did a number on the beach.

    Grazie!

    Thanks, Pablo! Right place, right time :)

    Thank you :)

  9. -sigma- (5 months ago | reply)

    Grandioso

  10. tattoogirl12 (-break-) (5 months ago | reply)

    wonderful sun rays, the scene is so beautiful! great mood!

  11. rist2796 (5 months ago | reply)

    That would make such a great wall hanging - really well done

  12. Andyorf (5 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful scene.

  13. Photocre8 (5 months ago | reply)

    Wow...it sure was worth all the effort you put into getting there, Lorenzo! Gorgeous colors in the sky and in the reflections! Super gull action, too!

  14. foxysangels143 (5 months ago | reply)

    lovely !!

  15. David Ruiz Luna (5 months ago | reply)

    Preciosa escena.
    Feliz Año Nuevo.

  16. paloetic (5 months ago | reply)

    so delightful especially in large ... I agree the rays of light filtering though the clouds are wonderful :)

  17. Borislav Aleksiev (5 months ago | reply)

    Great capture.

  18. Tinywawe (5 months ago | reply)

    Thank you. Its so good.

  19. Manuel Crende (5 months ago | reply)

    Perfect composition. Congrats!!! fav now!

  20. c0wy (5 months ago | reply)

    great photo, Lorenzo!

  21. amandalaryssa (5 months ago | reply)

    Magnific!!!!!
    I loved the composition

  22. Hot Flash Photography (5 months ago | reply)

    Gorgeous sepia tones and wonderful light, Lorenzo. Love the drama of the incoming waves. (I guess it's time to get some driftwood for the garden).

  23. angelafarina (5 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful work.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !

  24. tonyzp (5 months ago | reply)

    Linda foto !!!
    Felicidades por explore!!!

  25. ♥DonnazMagicalPix♥ (5 months ago | reply)

    Congrats on Explore, Lorenzo...!

  26. FerPecT_sHotz (5 months ago | reply)

    lovely shot congrats on explore!!

  27. Lucas Tang (5 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shot!!!

  28. giorgosgrigoriadis16 (5 months ago | reply)

    You manage to catch all of the beauty of the scene , a fantastic photograph !!!

  29. HDR-newaddict (5 months ago | reply)

    seen on the 'explore', great capture, well done!!

  30. red-sequoia (5 months ago | reply)

    fantastic scene :)

  31. frasse21 (5 months ago | reply)

    Wonderfully captured!
    Congrats making it to explore!

  32. rosejones1uk (5 months ago | reply)

    Nature at it's best - absolutely gorgeous and congrats on Explore

  33. bressandavide (5 months ago | reply)

    wondeful light!

  34. E.Mill (5 months ago | reply)

    so beautiful shot!
    well done and congrats on explore!!!

  35. Richard Larssen (5 months ago | reply)

    Congrats! well done

  36. Becca2810 (5 months ago | reply)

    Amazing timing you have captured some beautiful element within the picture

    Posted Via Flickr Photo Explorer FREE iOS App

  37. Jose Jiménez Martinez (5 months ago | reply)

    Espectacular,maravillosa!!

  38. jaeschol (5 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful setting and tones

  39. alpamorim (5 months ago | reply)

    Outstanding!

  40. ~All for Love's Sake~ Away (5 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful light and seascape !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. halina-anna (5 months ago | reply)

    Fabulous !
    Congrats on EXPLORE !

  42. desomnis (5 months ago | reply)

    Very nice light and atmosphere.

  43. elmofoto (5 months ago | reply)

    Yes, it was totally worth it, Toby!

    Thanks, Palo :)

    Thank you, Marianne. Picking up driftwood would have been a great idea -- it never even occurred to me!

    Thank you so much, Giorgos!

    Thank you all for the wonderful comments, notes, faves and the congrats. Happy New Year to you all!

  44. andrea maini (5 months ago | reply)

    nice shot
    congrats

  45. Sprengben [why not get a friend] (5 months ago | reply)

    You did a perfect Job with this image! It really deserves Explore.
    I wish you a sweet Saturday.
    Ben

  46. hypersoar (5 months ago | reply)

    Good pic

  47. jOaNa FaLvO (5 months ago | reply)

    Meravigliosa!!!!

  48. bob_52 (5 months ago | reply)

    bellissima luce, complimenti

  49. julian.reynolds.543 (5 months ago | reply)

    That is a wonderful photo. Please also upload it to YouPic so all photographers can enjoy, worldwide.

  50. Tilak Haria (5 months ago | reply)

    Nice capture !!! Congrats for being on EXPLORE.
    Wishing You a Very Happy New Year.

    Via Today's Explore at #6 on Fluidr

  51. ♥ Katie ann .internet problems, (5 months ago | reply)

    WOW what an amazing image,
    Truly Beautiful.

    We would be Honoured if you would share this with us in
    Karas Classics.

    This is your invite

    newinvite

    Post 1 Award 3

    Via Today's Explore at #6 on Fluidr

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