Dramatic sunset beams

Down on Tralee beach just before sunset today. I had been hoping to photo the sun's orb as it dropped below the horizon but distant cloud blocked it. Luckily, before that happened I got these shots with dramatic dark shadow beams. The CalMac ferry is heading out of Oban towards Mull on its way to the outer isles. There's also a wee fishing boat to the right. The "mirage" effect on this one is quite jolly and the seagull just happened to pass at the right moment in the second picture.

We seem to be one of the few parts of the UK without snow so far this week, but it was a chilly -5C when I took these at about 3:30pm.

Walking to the beach the low sun was streaming through the wood and catching the flowerheads of this cow parsley.

In the old gravel pits area above the beach are numerous marsh orchids this year. There's been very little rain recently and the usually flooded areas have dried out. Maybe this has helped the orchids growing on the margins as they do seem taller and more plentiful than usual.

Looking south over Tralee Bay about 10pm. The sun was setting to my right and the moon shone over the sea.

My final view of the evening looking back to the beach from the gateway.