February 2021 was exceptionally wet in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  It rained.  And it rained again.  All that water needs to go somewhere and there’s nowhere really for it to go on a sandbar with a high water table.  No sewers and streams and rivers to carry the water downstream to the next place.  The coast is already the final destination.  And so, the rainwater puddles.  It stands.  And when the winds calm, it reflects.

After a morning of beachcombing, my sister and I stopped at the lighthouse to use the public restrooms.  Of course, my attention was full when I saw the large ponding puddle reflecting at this iconic location.  My biggest regret is not slowing down and working the scene.  I rushed to document the most obvious composition(s)–stock-like in my approach really–and then moved it along.  In hindsight, there were so many more artistic interpretations that I should have at least tried.  Live and learn.

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8 @ 24mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  February 24, 2021
Settings:  f14, 1/8 second, iso-64