As a general rule, I have gravitated away from trying to chase sunsets per se, as more often than not I end up waiting around for something that doesn’t happen. I do enjoy spending time on a beach that faces away from the sunset, as the soft light on the water is often conducive to the motion blur photos I have become so fond of.
Back in early November, Kathy & I visited Belhaven, NC. One of our frequent destinations, we often use the location as a jumping off point for trips around the eastern part of the state, looking for fishing boats, old barns or sometimes waterfowl.
For some reason though, I often find it worth my time to be “out” for sunset in Belhaven. Something there just causes the conditions to be good for great color. The downside is that there is not a lot of variety for foregrounds. There are a few docks, but they are all on private property and I tend to respect that. I do have a nice sunrise place where I have gotten permission from the owner to use her place when I am in town, and that has proven to be a good spot.
The great thing about sunset in Belhaven is that the bed & breakfast we stay at is on Water Street, so it’s easy to head out the door, grab my gear from the car and head across the street to the waterfront. For the last several years I have used the back yard of an unoccupied house as my staging area, and that is the place I have taken most of my sunset photos in Belhaven.
During our recent visit I found out that this house was recently sold. I met the new owner, and he seems like a real nice guy, but I’m not sure I will be able to keep using his yard for my photos. The next time I go there I’m planning to take him a couple of prints as a goodwill gesture, and hopefully he’ll grant me a perpetual pass to use his place. We’ll just have to see.
So what’s the deal with these posts? I assume that they are leftover from a long-abandoned dock, and eventually someone is either going to build a new dock or just pull out these posts. Something about them calls my name, and every time I go there I end up shooting at least a few frames of them. They make interesting subject matter, to me at least.
I hope you enjoy this selection of sunset photos from Belhaven, North Carolina!
Love the last image of the two posts. Very artistic and creates a mood I like to feel. And, yes I did enjoy the images.
Thank you, Monte. That makes sharing them worthwhile. Merry Christmas to everyone out your way!
I think you’d have to search far and wide to find a photographer that didn’t like sunsets. These are excellent examples. I think those posts were left there for photographers.
Thank you, Ken. My vote would also be to keep those posts there, but I suspect I won’t get a ballot when the time comes!
I am a close relative of the former owner and I can tell you that the posts were from a long ago pier washed away in a hurricane.
I figured that must be the case, and I appreciate knowing a little more about the history.
Thanks for sharing the photos Tom! The sunsets in Belhaven are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I moved here from Raleigh several years ago and I’m still not tired of seeing them! Your photos are awesome! Ever thought about selling them?
Thanks, Diana. I do sell a number of my photos, both in magazines and as prints. So far I haven’t branched into anything else but you never know!
My husband and I are the former owners of the vacant house you refer to in these sunset pictures. And you are right, those post are from a long ago pier. As a child my husband fished and rowed boats from that pier. Our children remember watching the famous Belhaven 4th of July fireworks from Grandma Hannah’s dock. Fond memories abound from those post.
I appreciate knowing a little more about the history of the house as well as the posts, and I’m glad that they are still there for me to share some memories. Thanks for commenting!
thanks so much for these beautiful pictures. The pier in the background of one of your photos is my parents place. I used to play in Mrs Hannah’s yard as a child so that view is very familiar to me. I’m living overseas right now so this post made my day. Happy new year to you!
Thank you, Kristen. Seems those aren’t only “my” posts, but I’m very glad that others know them – and that view – as well!