Last weekend we hit the highway again and went down to the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast for 3 days. It was the last weekend before the big Memorial Day weekend, which is the traditional kick-off for the summer tourist season. As usual, such trips of ours become an excursion (if only temporary) into the good life. Fantastic fresh seafood, great wine, all sorts of unmentionable kinds of fun, and of course, photography. Even though I grew up on the Gulf Coast, with each returning visit I always discover something new to photograph. The opportunities are apparently endless, so I guess I'll just have to keep going back for more! Monday morning Leah and I got up in the darkness of night so we could be on the beach in time for sunrise. Not an easy task, especially while on vacation. I suppose that's why there are more sunset photographers around than sunrise photographers. But the freshness and promise of a new day bathed in the pre-dawn light cannot be matched by any sunset, especially while standing by the gulf surf with an early morning sea-breeze in your face. The only two sounds to be heard are the seagulls and the surf itself. And the smell of salt water permeates your brain and seems to have a medicinal cleansing effect throughout your entire body! Pure heaven. This shot was taken just east of Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island. It was just a few minutes after sunrise. The golden rays of early morning light dancing with the surf was absolutely stunning. Thanks for stopping by! marshall