The year in sunsets

by

Palettes change with the seasons

12.24.15 Sunsets January Fran
January — Shorebirds feed in the Myakka River at last light of day.

For some it’s a ritual at the beach, but I have always loved to watch the sunset in a park. The sun sinking through pines lights up the landscape. A pastel backdrop frames moonrise in the east, while off to the west, there is a last hurrah of bright color.

Every sunset is different. Many days it’s a vibrant light show, but there’s a certain regularity through the year: rainbows in spring; storm clouds summer into fall; and in winter, calm vistas with fog thrown in from time to time.

(All photos are by Fran Palmeri.)

Fog steals the show from disappointed beachgoers.
February — Fog steals the show from disappointed beachgoers.
Muted colors are reflected in Deer Prairie Creek.
March — Muted colors are reflected in Deer Prairie Creek.
Sol sinks beneath the waves at Siesta Key Beach.
April — Sol sinks beneath the waves at Siesta Key Beach.
The fire station on Honore Road is framed in a late day rainbow.
May — The fire station on Honore Road is framed in a late day rainbow.
Whistling ducks prepare to roost for the night at Lake Osprey.
June — Whistling ducks prepare to roost for the night at Lake Osprey.
A thunderstorm closes in at Oscar Scherer State Park.
July — A thunderstorm closes in at Oscar Scherer State Park.
A rare sundog shows its face along a roadside.
August — A rare sundog shows its face along a roadside.
Downtown Sarasota is limned by the fading light.
September — Downtown Sarasota is limned by the fading light.
October — It’s a fiery end to the day on Sarasota Bay.
Stickney Point grows dark under a December sunset.
November — Stickney Point grows dark.
A mosaic of pines is turned red by the setting sun.
December — A mosaic of pines is turned red by the setting sun.