I left you an award at my blog. No need to pass it on unless you want to but I just wanted you to know that I think your blog is great :) http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2009/08/awards.html
I wondered where the name Topsail Island came from, so I looked it up:
"Lying on the eastern coastline of North Carolina, perfectly set within thirty minutes in either direction to Jacksonville and Wilmington, it’s been said that Topsail achieved it’s name from a rather unique source, pirates. Blackbeard himself was rumored to roam the island, making his way to Ocracoke. As ships would pass offshore, the tall pirate ship’s masts could be seen in the distance, thus the name of Top-sail, (pronounced Top-sul by most). Of course, this is part of the mysterious legend of the island.
"When the high sails could be seen waving in the distance, oncoming ships quickly turned around to flee from a possible confrontation. Not many wanted to come face-to-face with savage pirates, especially if they thought it was Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
"Blackbeard’s “fleet” normally consisted of four ships, Queen Anne’s Revenge, the Adventure, the Revenge (which he took from another local pirate, Stede Bonnet) and a tender, which served the other three. He had at least forty guns, or blunderbusses, mounted on the deck of the renamed Queen Anne after he captured it in the Bahamas in 1717. All three main vessels were fighting ships with nearly three hundred men aboard. They were definitely a source (sic) to be reckoned with, but only for a little over two years. Though his reign was a short one, it has long been a swashbuckler’s legend of evil doings, with the story ending right here off the coast of North Carolina!"
That is an amazing sunset. Looks like the sky is on fire. Looking through your blog there seems to be lots of great shots waiting to be captured around North Carolina! Janice.
I've not opened Google Reader in AGES but I did so today and am delighted to see your full posts appear there because it allows me to catch up a bit ... clicking over occasionally to leave a comment when I have something to say. This photograph is amazing in so many ways (as is the sunrise on Topsail Island)! I'm so glad I didn't miss either one. Hugs and blessings,
65 Comments
Awesome! It looks so dark and dramatic, almost like a bat swooping in... on fire. Awesome capture!
ReplyDeleteJawdropping image. Amazing shot.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend.
BTW, I do see a bat as well :D
Wow - very intense!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a night bird, but I can see a bat, too. And the head by itself looks like a diamond, or a heart. So much in this one!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! this is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous, breathtaking! And the vivid colors -- that is shades of GOLD!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Sandy!
Sylvia
I saw bird, then bat, then dragon.
ReplyDeleteThen I just saw awesome. Truly awesome. And you got it in gold -- I kept getting red. Any idea what your white balance setting was?
It's just,
ReplyDeleteO U T S T A N D I N G
Come visit 'Prairie Barrens' under a hot sky, Click here.
Troy and Martha
Truly outstanding!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love the mood in this shoot.
Power and strength.
Awesome photo for Skywatch. Great job Sandy.
ReplyDeleteVery cool and dramatic. It almost reminds me of a giant bat in the middle.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful clouds and golden sky!
ReplyDeleteHey, Sandy!!!!!! Your sky's on fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! This sky has left me speechless :)
ReplyDeleteI left you an award at my blog. No need to pass it on unless you want to but I just wanted you to know that I think your blog is great :)
http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2009/08/awards.html
Gorgeous and surreal at the same time. A great capture!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GLORIOUS view in your amazing photo this week ;--)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
That is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, but it does look like a giant bat.
ReplyDeleteA stunning sunset on fire. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteeveryone has said it all...wonderful photo.
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome photo, Sandy! I would love to capture a shot like that.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fantastic capture!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome rich colors - Beautiful photograph
ReplyDeleteLooks like a big bird hovering. Gloriously awesome.
ReplyDeleteSandy that is fantastic. Such a dramatic beautiful sky.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a pretty awesome sunset! Great capture.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant sky.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Great image, Sandy! The contrast between the golden light together with the spot of white light and the darkness is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an explosion of color! There also appears to be an aircraft carrier sized bat swooping up into the sky.
ReplyDeleteThe bat cloud for sure! Truly dramatic and a great capture.
ReplyDeleteThat's an incredibly beautiful photo, Sandy. Just stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from my cottage visit and have a lot of catching up to do. I've read all your posts and they're wonderful as always.
It's the batman symbol!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent. Love it.
ReplyDeleteWow... lovely colours!
ReplyDeleteClaping....this looks like an award winning photo.
ReplyDeletejfm
Truly breath-taking! The storm is swooping in on raptor's wings, but the promise of God is shinging right behind him!
ReplyDeleteI love colourful sunsets. Awe inspiring.
ReplyDeleteSo dramatic and great form!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the title I knew it was going to be a good one. Those big sky photos are always so dramatic. Great color here too.
ReplyDeleteMystical! I expect a dragon to fly into the shot!
ReplyDeleteQuite humbling, Sandy....God in His Glory!
ReplyDeleteSandi
We just vacationed not too far from there. Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSandy: That is one of those WOW photos you can only hope to get at the beach. Thanks for sharing the beauty.
ReplyDeleteSandy, this sky is absolutely superb!!! Hats off girl!
ReplyDeleteExcellent picture, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteI wondered where the name Topsail Island came from, so I looked it up:
"Lying on the eastern coastline of North Carolina, perfectly set within thirty minutes in either direction to Jacksonville and Wilmington, it’s been said that Topsail achieved it’s name from a rather unique source, pirates. Blackbeard himself was rumored to roam the island, making his way to Ocracoke. As ships would pass offshore, the tall pirate ship’s masts could be seen in the distance, thus the name of Top-sail, (pronounced Top-sul by most). Of course, this is part of the mysterious legend of the island.
"When the high sails could be seen waving in the distance, oncoming ships quickly turned around to flee from a possible confrontation. Not many wanted to come face-to-face with savage pirates, especially if they thought it was Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
"Blackbeard’s “fleet” normally consisted of four ships, Queen Anne’s Revenge, the Adventure, the Revenge (which he took from another local pirate, Stede Bonnet) and a tender, which served the other three. He had at least forty guns, or blunderbusses, mounted on the deck of the renamed Queen Anne after he captured it in the Bahamas in 1717. All three main vessels were fighting ships with nearly three hundred men aboard. They were definitely a source (sic) to be reckoned with, but only for a little over two years. Though his reign was a short one, it has long been a swashbuckler’s legend of evil doings, with the story ending right here off the coast of North Carolina!"
Topsail Island NC web page
This is so stunning!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing shot... spectacular. We live by the ocean but never get down there enough. This inspires me to not miss another awesome sunset!
ReplyDelete~April
we used to go to topsail every year growing up. amazing shot!
ReplyDeletethis is spectacular! one of your best Sandy.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck is that?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a painting in strokes of black and yellow..
Nature is just so aethetically driven..:)
You are too lucky to capture such a scenic memory..
Seems like a demon swinging its' wings to stop the sun from reaching the Earth..
WOW! Love this one..
Thanks a lot for such amazing scenes..
Keep posting!
This shot is incredible. Intense. Dramatic. Powerful. Almost frightening. What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!
ReplyDeleteGeorgeous photo, very dramatic. The different shades of gold make it so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThrough Squirrel Eyes
love those Carolina skies!
ReplyDeleteamazing shot!
ReplyDeleteeither you are lucky or very talented...lol!
Spectacular shot! Truly amazing capture.
ReplyDeleteHow i wish to be the one who took that shot!
ReplyDeleteA truly wonderful picture.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am not usually at a loss for words. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent show. It looks like a bubbling cauldron of angry steam and fire.
ReplyDeleteStunning colours!
ReplyDeleteThe colors are stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Over the Rainbow
That's a beautiful shot & you have a very nice site here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment.
That is an amazing sunset. Looks like the sky is on fire. Looking through your blog there seems to be lots of great shots waiting to be captured around North Carolina!
ReplyDeleteJanice.
I've not opened Google Reader in AGES but I did so today and am delighted to see your full posts appear there because it allows me to catch up a bit ... clicking over occasionally to leave a comment when I have something to say. This photograph is amazing in so many ways (as is the sunrise on Topsail Island)! I'm so glad I didn't miss either one.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Thanks for being here.