Good morning! You up already? I’d like to invite you on a sunrise walk this Saturday morning. We’ll follow one of my regular routes, if that’s ok. And jog or run a little too.
We’ll take the walkway from the garden to the beach. Right away we’ll see the magic of sunrise: the usually white sand now has a pretty pinkish hue.
And the ocean is bright blue. We jog north towards the nature reserve. The sand is packed tight by overnight rains. It’s easy on the foot, we start running. Over a long stretch of sand leading to the park, we turn around and take a funny selfie. Nobody is tiny this early in the morning.
The sun is rising over the tall trees (featured image), and we jog into the park at the west end of the salt marsh.
This little path, a shortcut, is flanked by cheerful wild flowers and takes us right to the water.
It’s completely still. And the morning air is fresh.
The first rays reach above the tall trees and paint the grass and the water in beautiful hues. Most birds are still sleeping.
But we find that the Great Blue Heron is an early riser. He prefers to hide in the high grass and doesn’t want to pose for pictures. So we continue our walk. We’ll actually run for a little while.
And stop in our tracks when we see the only other early bird in the marsh. A Roseate Spoonbill. She looks like she’s just waking up. Maybe trying to decide what she wants for breakfast.
We then continue to the east end of the marsh, now half lit up by the rising sun. Beautiful, right? We stop for a little while to enjoy the painting. We take a few deep breaths. And a sip of water. But we must continue if we want to get breakfast at some point. And coffee. So we decide to take the fastest route back home, the street.
We now jog south on the bay-side. On a street light next to the Sailing Center, we find a dozen smaller birds of several varieties worshipping the rising sun. And enjoying the quiet of the morning. It’s going to be a busy day on the beach and on the bay too.
We’ll be home in another ten minutes. Thanks for keeping me company this morning. Take care now and have a great weekend.
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
What a beautiful early morning. That early sunrise time is magical, isn’t it? Loved the row of different birds on the pole.
It is! I’m not a very early riser so I’m not going out this early very often. But enjoyed it so much that I’ll will definitely do it more…the colors were truly different and beautiful. But most birds were still hiding in their night quarters, apart from the lineup on the bay-side 🙂
Good morning, Tiny!!! Bless you for this Gift!! (((HUGS))) Amy
Thank you, dear Amy, for your always delightful company!!! Have a wonderful weekend. Many hugs!!
May your have a wonderful weekend as well, Tiny!!!! Have FUN!!! xx Amy
Awesome and refreshing! Every inch of me sensed it thoroughly. I am dusting off the beach sand my feet carried. Thank you!
Thanks for coming along! Your walk in the rain was also wonderful, loved it!
My Pleasure! HE HE 🙂
I particularly appreciate the long shadows cast by the morning sun. My favourite time. You are blessed…
…and the best part is you know and appreciate it 🙂
Thank you! It’s a wonderful time to be out and about in the nature, I’m definitely going to do it more. I’m very grateful for all the natural beauty close to home, and since it’s a protected “natural habitat” it’s likely to remain that way despite the pressures to build more and more around these beaches.
What a wonderful run we’ve had tiny! 🙂
Since I can’t run, I’m living through you! I loved all the pictures, it really is a wonderful part of the day. Have a wonderful long weekend and many hugs to you my friend.
Happy you came along, my friend! Nature has a different glow at sunrise, and the air is so fresh, even here in Florida in August. I’m looking forward to little cooler temperatures…maybe in October/November. I wish you a good weekend too. Warm greetings & many hugs!
I just returned because I had to have another look at the magical place you live in. *sigh* How lucky you are! And not only where you live. Count yourself fortunate to be able to jog and run, something I used to LOVE to do. A severe back injury and bad knees keep me from doing what I used to Love. So now I ride a bike. Almost as good, but not quite. (((HUGS))) Amy
I am grateful for the environment here every single day. I waited for four years for the opportunity to move here from the big city up north, and when it came, I jumped off the hamster wheel. And haven’t looked back. Sorry to hear about your back and knees (my knees shout at me sometimes too) but happy you can bike. And garden. And take gorgeous pictures! Sending a big hug!
Ah, Tiny, thanks!!! We are working towards getting out of the area we live due to the climate, and move someplace gorgeous and warm. You’re the greatest! Take care of those knees. Word of advice … it doesn’t get better with age. OK? (((HUGS))) Amy
Like the standing shadow shot. To me, it captures the essence of this post and its message. 🙂
Thanks Eric. I think that shot is quite intriguing…it could have several messages, potentially, depending on the associations the viewer makes 🙂
I considered your invitation, then opted to go birding. What can I say, I love it. 🙂
Great post, by the way. 🙂
Thanks Bob! Can’t blame you, who doesn’t love birding 😀 The great motivator for me to go walk and run here is the fact that I know I see some birds every time. And with some luck get a few pictures 🙂
That was a fun stroll! Wonderful photos too!
Thanks! Happy you came along 🙂
A thoroughly enjoyable walk!
Happy you came along, Shirley!
Wonderful photos which I love all. I am glad You had also Your camera with You when running. The last one is my favorite.
Thanks Matti. I bought a light “bridge camera” Canon SX50 just to be able to carry it …so that and a water bottle are always in my running pouch.
A beautiful setting for a run makes running not so bad after all, right? 🙂
Not too bad at all! Now that I’m used to it, I just need to go run/jog/walk (mine is a mix) almost every day 🙂
Yup, that mix is my recipe too. So far, seems to be what’s working for me.
What lovely pictures — thank you so much for sharing! I’m feeling invigorated and refreshed just from looking at them. 🙂
Thanks Meg! I’m happy it worked 😀
Beautiful Helen. Love the Heron shot best…
Thanks David. Missed the sunrise today and my run was on the brutal side, 92º…and now I might need to do a second round after just glancing at your double chocolate pancakes…to check where I can get them.
Beautiful captures but that last one of the street light with the menagerie of birds sitting upon it is wonderful!
Thanks Joanne! I was very lucky with the last picture. One of the birds was already leaning forward to fly when I pressed the shutter button…and in a blink half of them were gone 🙂
Oh, my!! Those early morning pictures are gorgeous!!!
Love the pink and blue pastels….beautiful start to the day!
Thanks Mary. I loved the colors of the morning too, but since I’m an extreme late person, I seldom get out of the door before or just at sunrise…