So, there I was… perched on this little ledge in the Schoodic part of Acadia National Park enjoying the view and my wonderful Dysart’s turkey and cheese sandwich. I’m studying the light, trying to anticipate if sunset is going to be epic or a bust, and all the while I can’t help but smile and appreciate the opportunity I have to just sit back and relax. The location I chose for the evening is quite limited with compositional possibilities, and when you combine that with my fear of heights, I wasn’t going to be moving around too much on that small and precarious ledge. So, rather than frantically running around looking for more than one shot, I placed my camera on the tripod, figured out a composition that I liked, and I sat back and chilled.
Looking back over my shoulder to the west toward Cadillac Mountain and the rest of Acadia, a rather large cloud slowly positioned itself directly between me and the setting sun. Realizing that the epic sunset I hoped for probably wasn’t going to materialize, I kept my fingers crossed that some of the high wispy clouds overhead might still be painted by the fading light before the sun dipped too low behind the clouds. In pretty much the same composition each time, the series of images below shows how, over the period of about an hour, the light bathing the scene changed and evolved. Needless to say, I was quite content to enjoy the front row seat to what was an incredible show.
6:30:24 p.m.
6:57:20 p.m.
7:30:48 p.m.
Stories from home 
It’s wonderful how you capture the intensifying, and then fading, light and colors. The changes in the sky are also interesting.
Thanks Ed. When the sun was hitting the cliffs directly the light was pretty intense, and although I like that effect, I think I prefer the more subtle, diffused light that settled in after the cloud obscured the sun.
I love your light study! Beautiful.
Thanks for the kind words!
wow…its beautifull..
Thank you very much.
It’s very wise of you not to go running around looking for different shots but in finding the thing in the spot you are in that makes it unique. My late husband found a tide pool at Schoodic from which he painted two wonderful paintings… one of which won a prize in NYC and also was featured in Yankee magazine. So with the kind of environment you find yourself in, you surely have much to choose from. Following these photos actually feels like spending the day on Schoodic point and watching the evening come on … I could almost feel the night breezes off the ocean.
Merrill… thanks. By slowing down and spending time in one place like I did on this occasion, I got two pretty cool things… a) a photograph that I like, but more importantly, b) the very personal experience of actually being there. Every time I look at these photographs it takes me right back to hanging out on that little ledge where the cool ocean breeze made me pull on my fleece, and the peaceful sound of the gentle waves breaking on shore was interrupted only by the hungry seagulls who wanted my sandwich.
I so enjoy it when you post your time on the sunrise/sunset photos. It really shows how quickly the light changes. And these photos convey that sense of peace and relaxation Acadia brings.
Thanks Carol. I hear you totally on the relaxation piece… Acadia has that effect on me every time I visit (even when crowded in the summer).
Was out on the ocean path this evening about 6 p.m., saw maybe 10 other people in an hour. The “end” is in sight! 🙂
Yeah… we’re coming into my favorite time of year in Acadia. Things slow down, colors change, and it takes on a different air.
Isn’t it amazing that the same spot can give us so different experiences (and photos) even on the same day?!!! Your 3 last stunning photos are wonderful and beautiful proofs of this.
Thanks Truels. Sometimes you have to just sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.
Love it.
Thanks Scott!
Most welcome. 🙂
So familiar and perfect!
Thanks Michael… it’s a place I am getting to know very well. Can’t wait to see this scene with some high surf.