First Encounter Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

There are very few days in a year at First Encounter Beach when the following events coincide: sunset, low tide, moonrise, no parking fee, not too cold, not too hot, not too late, not too many people. This was one of those days, so, I headed off to First Encounter Beach on Cape Cod.

Although the conditions were promising, the sunset was sadly flat and colorless.

I was seriously disappointed at the lack of a colorful sunset - and then I remembered the red umbrella in the trunk of my car...........

......so, all was not lost.

First Encounter Beach in Eastham is the location where in 1620, the Pilgrims had the first encounter with Native Americans while scouting the perimeter of Cape Cod Bay.

I tried a few different compositions.

A red umbrella to a photographer is like a chewed-up Frisbee to a dog. It can likely rescue any outing from disappointment.

Beach Art, First Encounter Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

Yesterday, I posted a number of other images from my recent First Encounter Beach visit in Eastham on Cape Cod. I saved this one for its very own solo post. Not to sound immodest but, I think this is a strong image. The free-spirited movement of this young child silhouetted against the beach and glittering water pleases me. If it makes you think fondly of a beach memory, then I have been successful.

First Encounter Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

First Encounter Beach is so named for the arrival of the Pilgrims almost 400 years ago.  Located in present day in Eastham on Cape Cod, the beach area enjoys a phenomenon that occurs when low tide and sunset are coincident.  The view reveals a long series of sandbars that stretch way off shore into the bay. I 've only seen it in the fall after the tourist season has ended but, I assume it is visible all year when these tide and sun conditions occur.

Typical of many boat moorings in Cape Cod Bay, at low tide the boat rests on the sand.  As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, literally.

Some folks walk out a long way as you can see from the distant vertical specks.

It is difficult to imagine the Pilgrims arriving here by boat in cold November weather. Hearty stock those Pilgrims. Of course, half of them died that first year in the New World so maybe not so hearty after all.

Meanwhile, at the last flash of sunset......

....it is impossible not to be in awe at the natural beauty of this place.