photoartflightBlackwater National Wildlife Refuge Sunsets
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has some amazing sunsets. Being somewhat close to the coast it seems like the sunsets are more colorful than usual. Sunrises are also very colorful if you can get there that early. We live about 4 hours from Blackwater so we do not get there as often as I would like. If you position yourself near the end of the Wildlife Drive at sunset, you can stay for a short while after the theoretical closing time to enjoy the sunsets. They used to drive through to make sure everyone leaves, but are usually cooperative. Quite often you see flocks of birds flying through the colorful skies which adds some interest to the colorful skies. For the featured image I was using a Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens. I corrected some distortion in Camera Raw.
The above image was shot with a Panasonic LX Pocket camera. This is along the Wildlife Drive right before the final turn in the road to the straight away to the exit, where the featured photo was taken.
Multi-Image FlyOut Panorama at Sunset – Panned during a burst of images, assembled in Photoshop. Also along the last straight away to the exit.
photoartflight 
Gorgeous sunsets and so well captured!
Thanks! This is my favorite NWR. Has amazing sunsets and sunrises! Plus one of the largest concentrations of Bald Eagles in the Northeast!
The first flight shot with the trees, brilliant.
In the evening there is a lot of flocks flying through the sunset to where they are going to roost. Plus the colors are usually amazing!
Wow, great images. That single eagle in the tree is wonderful.
Blackwater NWR is an usually an amazing place to photograph! Between sunrises, sunsets with flocks of birds flying through the colorful sky. Plus the Bald Eagles!
Thanks! It is one of my favorite NWRs. Between sunsets, sunrises and Bald Eagles, it is a Great place to photograph!
Beautiful series!
Thank you! It is a Great Place for landscapes, skyscapes, sunsets, sunrises, Bald Eagles, Ospreys in the right season and other Wildlife. But it is 4 hours away from me so I do not get there as often as I would like to.
Spectacular images!!
Thanks! It is a fun place to photograph! Lots of choices for photo subjects!
Sensational photos and beautiful scenery.
Thanks! It is a fun place to photograph!
With regard to the first picture: is there a time of year when the setting sun aligns with the road?
Hi Steve! We usually go in the warmer weather. Also the Eagle population is higher than the Winter. The featured image was the beginning of May. The second was the beginning of April. If you look up Blackwater NWR on the web you can download a Wildlife Drive Map so you can see the road twists around. Near the end the drive has a few twists so there are multiple angles to get sunsets and flocks of birds flying. They also have an interesting area off the main Wildlife Drive called Tubman Trail which has interesting ponds and plants etc. If you can get me your email I can send you a link to download or send you a wetransfer to download an extensive photo ebook I did on the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. I have done a series of ebooks on my favorite NWRs. The entrance is a short straightaway before the road splits in different directions. That area is great for colorful sunrises. If you need more info let me know!