My family spends a lot of time at the beach, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting more, and in fact when considering travel destinations coastal or waterside places are usually higher on the list. My personal favorite beach activity is sunset viewing, I love watching as the last moments of the day slip under the sea, often in a vibrant explosion of reds, pinks, oranges and yellows.
Santa Monica Beach
Of course when visiting destinations to the East the process is reversed, which is how I found myself on the beach in Fort Lauderdale at literally the crack of dawn. Watching as the sun rose up out of the ocean…
Harbor Beach Fort Lauderdale
These peaceful mornings at the beach were a great way to start my days during my time in South Florida where the majority of my time was spent pursing and viewing as much art as I could fit into three short days.
Fort Lauderdale Florida
Fort Lauderdale Florida
Harbor Beach Fort Lauderdale
Lifeguard towers are a favorite photo subject of mine, so the next morning I ventured a little further in the hopes of finding some…
South Beach Park
South Beach Park
Do you have a happy place? A favorite subject you seek out to photograph when traveling? What are your favorite ways to find peaceful moments when life gets busy?
Harbor Beach
You might be interested in reading about some of my other South Florida adventures:
Guide To Art Basel Miami, Photo Tour: Scenes of Little Havana, One Day in Miami Beach Florida, Exploring the Wynwood Art District
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The Travel Architect
So far, today has been one of those days. Looking at your beautiful photos was just what the doctor ordered.
Hilary
Thank you! I’ve been having “one of those days” a lot lately. Ha ha! Glad I could cheer you up!
Are We Adults Yet
These photos are amazing! What a beautifully captured moment!
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Hilary
Thank you so much!
Len Kagami
Stunning! I have never thought that the lifeguard tower can make such a nice photo 🙂 The sunset is also one of my favourite themes. It’s relaxing and somehow magical.
Hilary
Thank you! These are actually sunrise, which, once I got out of bed, was pretty magical too!
Esther
Ooooh, we’re in the midst of a cold winter and I am so up for a bit of beach. Your photos make me ache for summer!
#FarawayFiles
Hilary
I get that! We’re having a proper winter here in LA with temps in the 30s and 40s. Brrr!
Rhonda Albom
Those are some great sunrise shots. When I’m travelling, I like to photograph waterfalls. That takes me away from the coast and beaches. I have also taken my share of sunrise and sunset photos.
Hilary
Thank you! Oh! Waterfalls though beautiful sound challenging. Sunrises do all the work for us don’t they? 😂
Tilly Horseman
Beautiful Photos! I rarely make it up for sunrise, but if I’m staying on a coastline where sunrises are easily visible, I have been known to set the alarm! I would always seek to catch a sunset wherever I visit though.
There’s no one particular thing I like to photograph when travelling as I have so many interests. Beautiful and unusual architecture will always feature, as well as geological features like stone circles or waterfalls as well as beautiful views!
Hilary
Thank you! I see sunrise more than I like during our morning school routine, but rarely get to take photos. This was a rare treat.
grandadventurestory
What a peaceful post, and stunning photos. You can’t beat a sunset or sunrise shot at the beach. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more!
Clare Thomson
Beautiful photos, Hilary. The perfect start to a day filled with art as well. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Yes, a little zen moment, before the chaos of tourism.
Allison
Your photos are stunning! I always gravitate towards water whenever I’m near it. Sunrises and sunsets are more beautiful on the water, in my opinion. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! I wholeheartedly agree!
Janis
I love the photo of Santa Monica Beach.
I must admit anywhere there is water, seems to relax me. Whether it’s a harbour, a river, lake or the ocean, it’s wonderful. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes, we live near the water and it brings me joy!
Katherine
I’d give a fair bit to be one that beach right now. You captured some really gorgeous photos of Ft Lauderdale… they might just inspire me to wake up early for sunrise when we’re over there. #FarawayFiles
Sharon
Your photos captured the colors of sunset brilliantly! I was going to comment on the oranges in the second photo, then I scrolled down and saw the blues of the ocean and the yellows of the last photo. I can’t even choose a favorite — they are all lovely!
Hilary
Thank you! It never ceases to amaze me when I see the beautiful colors during sunrise/sunset.
Sol Solntze
I’m not, if I am honest, much of a beach person. But at that time, with those views, I think I could be converted! Great pictures!
Hilary
I get that. I’ve never been one to lounge on the beach or even swim in the ocean, but I love biking and walking the beach path and of course sunset/sunrise!
LAUREN
What a gorgeous place to visit – the beach looks amazing!
Hilary
It was and it is! 😊
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
I love photographing lifeguard towers too! My favorite thing to photograph are colorful subjects like Spanish tiles and flowers.
Fort Lauredale looks amazing and the colors of the sky at sunset are breathtaking!
#farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes, I love flowers and tiles too! I have a whole series of Portuguese tiles I should probably work on sharing at some point.
Paul Healy
Lots of beautiful shots here, catching sunsets on the beach are one of our favourite things to do as well. I also like capturing mountains, particularly after along hike – very rewarding.
Hilary
I’d like to do more hiking, but my family has zero interest. 😳 at least they love the beach!
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)
Gorgeous photos, Hilary! You’ve really got us longing to hit the beach, especially Fort Lauderdale’s beaches! (Not that it’s hard to convince us. 😉 Like your family, we will always happily spend more time on the beach. I’m sure you’ll agree – no matter how long we get to stay there, it’s never enough.
Hilary
Thank you! I live right next to one and I still wish for more beach time!
Cultural Wednesday
You’ve got me wanting to go to the seaside, I love your pictures of the lifeguard towers, we don’t have them in the UK and they look so cute #FarawayFiles
Hilary
The seaside is always a good idea, isn’t? Wait, do you have lifeguards there? Where do they sit? Fascinating!
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Such gorgeous shots! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thanks!