
First glow of sunrise at Castine harbor with deep orange colors and a hint of fog.
Our stay in Castine, Maine afforded us a scant view of the harbor if we stood on tiptoe in the upstairs bedroom and peered out the window. But even that was enough to alert us to the mood of the morning. If we could see the harbor bathed in orange light, we worked quickly, throwing on jeans and fleeces to hurry down to the waterfront. After all, the show wouldn’t wait for us.
All sunrise watchers know the temporary nature of the event. And that holds in Castine as well as at the beach, in the mountains, or in a neighborhood. It just doesn’t last long. Or at least not long enough.

From dark orange to lighter yellow-orange, the temporary nature of sunrises creates a show of its own.
The first deep orange glow seemingly turns pale in an instant. But what you watch for is the sequence of orange gradations moving from dark to light one shade at a time. Boats change colors. Birds lighten up. And you find yourself scanning the landscape to take it all in.

A boat is silhouetted by the orange-turned-pink sunrise in Castine, Maine.
In about half an hour, the warm reddish orange glow of sunrise in Castine turns to tangerine and then to melon before the sun’s golden rays peek over the horizon. And the water, awash in oranges and roses and yellows, finally turns to blue as boats get on with the business of the day.

Facing the day, awash in morning light: the Maine Maritime Academy teaching boat in Castine harbor
There’s nothing to do when it’s over except hope for a repeat performance the next day. It’s all so temporary!
For more temporary scenes, go to the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Temporary.
Toonsarah
Lovely sunrise photos! I think somehow a sunrise is more special than a sunset – perhaps because relatively few people are around early enough or take the time to appreciate it?
Oh, the Places We See
Perhaps so. But I do find it’s worth the effort to set my alarm and drag myself out of bed. I’m amazed at every one of them.
Toonsarah
I agree, it’s always worth getting up early for a great sunrise or dawn shoot
Flexi Aquilla
Hi there! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award. You can check it out here. https://flexireads.com/2017/11/17/liebster-award/ Looking forward tk your answers! ☺
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for nominating me for this award. I accepted it a couple of years ago, but then decided that I would like to have an award-free blog. The joy of having you like my post or comment is award enough, and you are definitely appreciated.
Flexi Aquilla
You’re welcome, cheers to more readers to your blog! 😄
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krithya G
Lovely pictures. I love how amidst the sun rising, the birds flying, the boats sailing, the sky changing, the fog silently disappears, almost unnoticed. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
I wish I had taken more videos with sound, because the gulls and other birds made for an exciting time each morning. It really was quite the show to start our day. Thanks for stopping to take a look and make a comment.
Irene
What a beautiful sunrise!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Irene. It was such a pleasure to stand at this dock and take in the sights and sounds. I felt as if I had to be in a movie theatre, except for the chilly air.
arv!
Stunning set of pictures! I love sunrise shots and I usually post them on my blog (for Friday skywatch) as well as on my Instagram
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for letting me know about your Instagram account. I’m loving that social media. It’s easy to post something each day because I don’t have to write a blog about it. So, yes, it’s fun to do. Plus, I get to see where everyone is going and what they’re doing in an instant. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
arv!
Happy to hear that. 😃👍
Valentina
In nature one must capture the moment. This is a beautiful orange.
Oh, the Places We See
It really is a beautiful orange — and one that didn’t last long at all. Mostly I could see the orange first, then pink, then bright sun. All gone in about half an hour. But, oh, what a way to start the day!!!
Valentina
Yes, indeed.
dawnkinster
LOVE the light on that tugboat!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Dawn, for your comment. We loved how the morning light bathed even the dirtiest old boats with a fresh new look each day. I know now that I could definitely get used to living on a harbor in Maine. Sigh.
Curt Mekemson
I really liked the soft light of the early morning sun on the teaching boat, Rusha. Great photo. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look at my harbor sunrises. We loved this teaching boat. It left a few mornings each week with students on it. We were able to sail on The Bowdoin, a two-masted schooner also used for teaching. And that was a big thrill to this Tennessee girl!
Curt Mekemson
Glad to see that the ‘Tennessee Girl” is still out there finding exciting new things to do. It’s what keeps us young, Rusha. –Curt
Noos2mee2
I live in Maine. Castine is beautiful! Nice photos!
Oh, the Places We See
Most places we visited in Maine were gorgeous — from the well-known to the little-known towns and harbors. We tried to get out each day and just drive, sometimes with a destination, sometimes not. You’re fortunate to see the beauty every day.
CompassAndCamera
Gorgeous, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for looking at our pictures. We love to relive a trip by going through all of them, and I must admit I do take too many. But sometimes it’s fun to snap away, even though it means hours of culling later! Happy Thanksgiving!
Tee Shaw
Beautiful!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for commenting on my sunrise photos. I stood in the cold taking them, but never felt cold at all. This was a highlight of our trip. Appreciate your taking a look!
Ester
Beautiful pictures!!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for this lovely comment. It was a highlight for me to be able to see a harbor at sunrise, and a memory that should last a long, long time.