Picture Perfect: Sunset in Sandy Hook, NJ

The day that I visited the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, I also spent some time walking around the surrounding park grounds (which are part of the Gateway National Recreation Area) with photographer, Tim Biel.  We stumbled upon a beautiful view of the Sandy Hook Bay in the early afternoon and knew, that if we came back at sunset, we would see some pretty amazing things.

From where this photo was taken, the lighthouse is off to the right.  In the distance, there is a nest for an endangered bird species and near where we stood, other birds flew around and “posed” for some pictures.  Bridges and sandy paths in the area wrap around the water and high grasses, offering distinct and beautiful views with every few steps.

Sandy Hook Bay Sunset, NJ (by Tim Biel)

I think this photo by Biel perfectly captures the slow and graceful sunset we saw that evening.  Enjoy…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Picture Perfect: The Sun Also Rises

It’s Sunday and so it’s time for another “Picture Perfect” moment.  Though we’ve featured only sunsets so far, the title of Ernest Hemingway’s early novel – full of possibilities and new beginnings, The Sun Also Rises, has inspired the theme for this week’s post.  (It just so happens that the first line in Hemingway’s novel also references none other than New Jersey’s own Princeton University!)

As one of the fifteen east coast states, New Jersey offers some amazing locations to view a sunrise. Despite that, many people I know are still fast asleep when the sun comes up in the morning, and those who are already awake are too busy working or on their way to work to appreciate the time of day properly.  Regretfully, I can’t say that I’ve had very many opportunities to be awake as the sun comes up with nothing else to do but enjoy it.

"Pole, Bucket, Boats" (by Tim Biel)

Earlier this summer however, photographer, Tim Biel, did just that and greeted the sun as it rose over Long Branch, NJ.  I think he captured the peacefulness and serenity of the promising early morning, but I’ll let you decide for yourself…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl