I wake up each morning automatically. I say automatically, just because I don't use an alarm clock. Something internal wakes me up, always before sunrise, or something external that passes by just at the right time. I roll out of bed, wipe the sleep from my eyes and rumple my hair. I'm then ready to go downstairs, get a drink of juice, and get the dog fresh water.

I find that doing the same things each morning keep me on an even keel as well as serving some functions, ergo the fresh water. I check the weather channel each morning to see the temperature, the wind and the possible cloud cover also, this last point being germane to good picture taking possibilities. The temperature dictates how many layers I'm going to put on, especially in the winter, and the wind helps with that decision also. I then "layer up" and then lace up the shoes. My dog patiently watches this morning procession, sometimes even playing with one of her stuffed toys while she waits. I think that she anticipates what comes next.

Stalking the ideal picture of sunrise
We leave the house, sniffing our way along the street the three or so blocks it takes to reach the street running along the beachfront. At this juncture, the dog totally dictates which way we travel, preferring variety in her walks. We turn left or right and proceed until she thinks it prudent to cross the street, looking both ways beforehand, and proceed to the beach, taking advantage of several access points available. I have to be patient, being old enough to have learned that one cannot rush a lady.

Depending on where we are exactly when we access the beach, usually there is a gangplank stretching over the scrub brush and then sand at the end. I usually wait until we've reached the beach proper before releasing the hound. She's always excited to be on the beach and realize this form of freedom, to romp and sniff what she chooses. At times, she takes off running as if she'll never stop, but usually does, turning around to see and check my slow prodding progress. Once I approach, she'll repeat the process, running full-speed for awhile, then once again stopping and waiting. The cooler the weather, the more she runs, and usually the slower I walk.

We usually arrive at the beach just before sunrise. I watch the weather channel for this information also, along with the tides, to try and arrive at least a few minutes early. This allows me to check the lighting and possible photographs that I might take that day, some involving scenery, some not. Most of my shots are the ocean and the sky, trying at all times to honor the rules of photography and shot framing which dictate about a third of the picture showing the sea and two thirds sky. Occasionally either the ocean or the sky will win out and these proportions will be violated, but only in the name of artistic license. I have a digital camera with settings on it for sunrise and sunset pictures, so I usually use those and let the camera dictate the speed and exposure. I've found, for the most part, that I'm happy with these shots, but might experiment in the future. My camera is a Fuji Finepix S3200 and I shopped around for features before purchasing.

The actual process of taking good sunrise pictures
I usually try to take several shots, ascribing to the theory that better more than less. I always keep alert for changing conditions, hoping that I'll capture something unique, ( like the lady walking her two dogs or the single lady gazing in awe). I have always said that one should stay alert as America needs more lerts. Snapping several pictures also allows me the opportunity to put together a sequence if particularly good that day. I think I shall concentrate on these for the website in the future.

While I snap pictures, my dog is very patient, one time just sitting down by my side while I snapped photograph after photograph in a nice sequence. After the sun has risen, my work is done and I think that she knows that this is her time. We usually walk more than two miles, getting some good cardio while, hopefully, some excellent pictures. Pru, my dog, knows that when we leave the beach and head home, it is to get her some breakfast and some hot coffee for me.

{I have been walking the beaches of Hilton Head Island since 1989, mostly in the morning hours. My neighbor inspired me to start taking pictures of the sunrise and to put them together on a website so that others could enjoy them. I wanted to describe, as best I can, the experience to my viewers, perhaps setting the stage for them to either visit the island, or to start getting up a little earlier to enjoy nature.}