Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been traversing the USA and have been treated to some sensational sunsets. Some of them I just watched in awed silence, but others I managed to capture on camera. Here are a few of my favourite sundown moments.
My first glimpse of the Mississippi River was from a train window. As luck would have it, we crossed the river right at sunset, when it was bathed in the loveliest lavender and rosy pink light.
I’d been watching a herd of buffaloes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for a while, but when I noticed these two against the backdrop of sun-kissed clouds, I couldn’t resist intruding upon their quiet moment.
I took this next photo in Yellowstone Park. Just as the sun was setting, heavy mists rolled in, and the glow of the sun through the fog looked eerily like the flames of a forest fire.
One of the most dramatic sunsets I’ve seen was in the Badlands, which is quite fitting, as the Badlands themselves are pure drama. The streaks of dark clouds were lit up from underneath with a fiery red that put me in mind of a lava flow.
Now I know there have been previous photo challenges on sunsets, but I also believe it is a universal truth that we cannot resist reaching for our cameras as the sun puts on its goodnight performance. You’ve probably got a myriad of dazzling sunset shots just waiting to be put online, so if you would like to join in this week’s travel theme, create your own post titled Travel theme: Sunset and don’t forget to put a link to this page in your post to make it easy for others to find it. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for a new travel theme.
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Gorgeous sunsets Ailsa. I’m obsessed with sunsets and I completely agree, I could never watch the sunset without taking at least one photo. I have my own travel theme and every Sunday I post a ‘Sunset Sunday’ photo. It’s pretty hard to find a sunset photo for every Sunday but so worth it because it makes me go out there and find some gorgeous shots.
Thanks Monica, I agree, it’s hard to resist taking photos of the setting sun. Just followed you on Twitter! 🙂
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I took this one in my own way. Hope that is ok!
Totally ok, ahecticlife, I love the light in your photos. xxx Ailsa
Great challenge Ailsa! I love yours from some of my favorite places in the USA. I love the northwest, especially Yellowstone! Your buffalo sunset is great, as is your Mississippi River shot. I hope I can come up with something for your challenge!
Thanks Cathy, I felt really lucky to have seen such splendid sunsets in spectacular surroundings. Looking forward to seeing your sunset! xxx Ailsa
Good morning, Aiilsa, and thanks for the lovely images to start the day! Since I grew up on the east side of the Mississippi River, seeing that sunset image gave me an extra-sweet dose of morning comfort!
Of course we all have images and images of great sunsets, and this will be an easy one to embrace, hopefully before I leave for the museum in the next hour! Z
Hurrah, Zeebra, there’s nothing like an early morning comfort photo 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your post. xxx
Beautiful! That Mississippi River pic is outstanding! Could you tell us what state you were passing through when you took it?
It was in Minnesota, travelling along the Empire Builder train route from Chicago to Seattle. Such a glorious sight. 🙂
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I must confess, I’m a bit addicted to sunset photos too. It’s such a shame it’s usually happening while I’m driving home from work so I don’t manage to take photos of all the beautiful sunsets I see.
Ahh, but you get to see them, Heather, and that’s the most important thing. 🙂
Very true. I will remember that next time I’m wishing I had my camera with me.
Can’t even pick a favorite. FANTBULOUS!!! I’ll be back…
Yaay!
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Posting an entry after a month-long hiatus!
http://projectmagellan.net/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Welcome back, Miguel, and what a stunning image. Really lovely! xxx
I’m late for the museum, but this was worth it! Thanks, this provided a great trip through a memory lane of sunsets!
http://playamart.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/sunset-anyone/
Have a great day! Z
Good grief, Z, these are breathtaking shots. Hope you weren’t too late for the museum! What type of museum is it? xxx Ailsa
The Museo de Bahia de Caraquez houses two floors of amazing archaeological artifacts. The third floor is dedicated to art, and my paintings have been on exhibit there for the past three weeks. Yesterday was the final day. This was the final stop on a three-museum show, and I am finally home after three months of ‘showtime.’
It feels great to be home! Z
Hurray, glad you’re back home, and congratulations on your show. I just saw your most recent post, that tree is stunning. xxx Ailsa
Thanks! Z
I saw a beautiful sunset with pink tinged clouds this evening as I headed to an appointment. It made me stop for a minute and enjoy the evening in Shanghai – where sunsets and puffy clouds remain rare. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera! I have some other sunsets though that I’ll have to look through and hopefully put a post together later this week. Great theme.
Some sunsets are best enjoyed without the intervention of a camera, that one in Shanghai sounds wonderful 🙂 Looking forward to your post, gkm. xxx
I finally got to it. Here’s the link. What great memories from Boracay! http://zhongguojumble.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/travel-theme-sunset/
Hi Ailsa: Great shots! I love the Buffalo…and the beautiful sunsets. I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s entries. It’s funny, I have sunset photos but no sunrise photos…I guess that comes with being a night owl. 🙂
The buffalo were so cool, strawberry. They were massive, even the babies! I’m a night owl too, but I find it easier to catch the sunset than the dawn.
Hi Ailsa, love your shots, here’s another cold themed one for you!
http://annarashbrook.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
These are fabulous, Anna. The top one looks like a fiery tornado, and the clouds in the bottom photo remind me of curls of butter. Really beautiful – your phone takes pretty great shots.
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Here’s my contribution http://thetravelbug.blog.co.uk/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset-14563554/
Unfortunately we can’t see much of the sunset through the rain in Wales at the moment 😦
Absolutely lovely, Sas, Wales is beautiful at the best of times, but that sunset is spectacular. I tried commenting on your post but it didn’t want to play – so I’ve either left three comments or none at all! 😉
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Badlands. Are. Amazing. Too bad the day I was there it was rainy, because I’m sure the sunsets would have been phenomenal. My entry, coming soon.
I agree, beyondpaisley, the Badlands blew me away with their austere beauty. Looking forward to your post. xxx Ailsa
Sunsets are favorite of my to photograph. I love those sunset images in your post above, especially the sunset over the Mississippi. Hope you don’t mind that my submission is a repost on sunsets. The photos were taken in Indiana. http://canoecommunications.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/sunset/
So beautiful, c & c, the colours in that first photo are divine. xxx Ailsa
Oops, I meant Roosevelt Park. It looks like the Mississippi and love the buffalo photo.
Aha, I was going to ask you whereabouts they were taken. I am very fond of the buffalo photo myself, it’s a sunset photo with a difference. 🙂
Truly sensational sunset scenes!
Thanks Amy, glad you enjoyed them. xxx Ailsa
Dreamy theme- I might just! Oh to go to Yellowstone…
It’s wonderful, Jo – I really want to go back in winter; I suspect it wouldn’t be as busy and the opportunities for wildlife viewing would be top-notch!
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Great photos – I especially love the one of the 2 buffalo!
Here’s mine for this week:
http://theretiringsort.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunsets/
Thanks TRS, the buffalo are proving to be very popular, your sunsets are stunning too!
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This is mine, Ailsa 🙂
http://demaodyssey.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Beautiful, Dema, I love those beach shots. You’re right, each sunset has its own uniqueness.
Annnnnd…. post. http://beyondpaisley.net/2012/08/17/travel-challenge-sunsets-boston-harbor/
Proof positive, Nessie lives! Great post, beyondpaisley 🙂
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Although all the shots are great, I too LOVE the buffalo one! Great capture.
Here are my sunset shots from Thailand: http://tahira007.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Very fun theme this week, Ailsa!
Those blue sunsets in Thailand are fabulous, Tahira. The buffalo are my favourite too! 🙂
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Everyone loves a sunset, don´t they? I´m sure you will get some fabulous responses to your travel theme this week, Ailsa! 🙂
Here´s mine … http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/i-can-see-africa-from-my-terrace/
Hi Marianne, yes, there have been some stunning responses so far – yours included. What a beautiful view from your terrace. 🙂
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Hi Ailsa, here’s mine for this week: http://catbirdinamerica.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Love it, Cathy. Deep Creek Lake looks fab, but boy oh boy, that Angkor Wat moat photo is wonderful.
Thank you Ailsa! Hope you’re continuing to enjoy your trip across America. Sadly, I’ll be leaving again in less than a week… 😦
Love the buffalo pic, Ailsa! Here’s my sunset post:
http://weirdandcoolstuff.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Later!
Thanks Ruth, what a glorious sunset to welcome you to your home!
Hi Alisa! Beautiful shot!! I love the sunset… it’s a magic time!!
Here my little contribution…a gold light on a gold lake…
http://pdf34.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/travel-theme-sunset/
Gorgeous shot of Como, badflea. I love the one of Byron Bay too! xxx
Tks A!
Most amazing shots. Thanks for sharing your trip
Thanks phil, thanks for following along on my journey 🙂
Really great sunsets… 😉
Thanks ledrakenoir, they were truly beautiful to behold. 🙂
Agree, I love the colors in your shots, they are great… 😉
Maybe sun sets are more beautiful than sun raises – both are not only colors, shades, lights and sun – but sound too – love to hear the birds sing, think it’s so amazing – and makes me glad… 😉
http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/science-for-bird-brains/
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great images Ailsa…I love The Badlands sunset…wow
so here are mine from Tahiti…where they do the most amazing sunsets
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/tahitian-sunset/
Two of my favourite things, Jo – chocolate and sunset. 🙂 The Badlands was pretty spectacular, and the sunset was intense.
Oh Ailsa, with this week’s theme you surely know that you have exposed one of my obsessions in sunset photography! I have too many to choose from, so have included a slideshow of some of my ocean sunsets and featured a couple of unusual rural sunset shots.
http://cinova.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/travel-theme-sunset/
Aha, you and me both, cinova. Sunsets are so lovely, I can’t resist taking photos. Gorgeous shots, where was the eucalyptus tree photo taken? Stunning!
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These pictures are not from any exotic vacations but from my balcony. Living in New York City you can’t get too many sunset pictures I guess….
http://shaanthz.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/travel-theme-sunset/
Lovely post, Shaanthz. I’ve seen some spectacular sunsets in NYC, but it’s difficult unless you have rooftop access (which luckily I did). From street level it’s hard to even see the sky, let alone the sunset! 🙂
It’s a winning theme, Ailsa, and some gorgeous shots that talk about the great wide timeless interior of America. 🙂
Yesterday’s power cut fried my battery – fingers crossed the Apple man will be able to fix my poor computer in time to post sometime in the week!
Oh nooo, Wanderlust, I live in dread of my laptop going on the fritz. Here’s hoping the Apple man gets you back up and running soon. xxx Ailsa
Fingers crossed I’m back on the air – well, computer-wise anyway. The Apple man said the battery had self-regulated – now I’m doing some elaborate charge and drain regimen which he assures me should bring it almost back to normal.
i hope you’re doing frequent backups onto a portable disk drive, Ailsa? Travelling, and loading up all your travel pix, you’d kill yourself if the motherboard went, or something …
Gulp, the thought of losing all that work is making my head hurt! I always travel with an external hard drive and backup regularly. It would be too risky not to! Glad you’re back up and running, hurrah!
The beauty of a sunset from Goa, India
http://wingrish.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/sunset-time-goa/
Goa gets some incredible sunsets by the looks of your post, Kavi – those pale pink hues are stunning!
Photography is a treat in Goa 🙂
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What exquisite sunsets you have captured Ailsa! My take on this is again from the wilds of Africa:
http://madoqua.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/travel-theme-sunset-at-mopane/
Thanks Madoqua, I love your photos from Africa, really stunning. xxx Ailsa