During my recent road trip through Florida, my plan was to stay two nights at Jekyll Island to photograph Driftwood Beach. I revised this plan when I was only able to reserve a hotel for the one night at Jekyll Island. I spent the other night at nearby St. Simons Island, Georgia.

I very much enjoyed my time on St. Simons Island. The highlight of my stay was a sunrise photo session at the Avenue of Oaks near the entrance to the Lodge At Sea Island Golf Club. I arrived at the location well before sunrise. I knew that it was expected to be a clear sky and that the scene would be destroyed for photography once the direct, harsh sunlight struck the oak trees.

So, I started shooting before sunrise. I like the photos, even though the light was a bit flat. I kept shooting through sunrise until the sun became too bright. My favorite picture of the morning was the one taken right as the sun rose over the horizon and gently lit small portions of the live southern oak trees:

Avenue of the OaksAvenue of the Oaks at 100 Retreat Avenue near the entrance to the Lodge At Sea Island Golf Club in Saint Simons Island, Georgia on December 4, 2018 I like the photograph for a number of reasons. First, I very much like southern live oak trees. Also, have a tendency to favor pictures that feature a vanishing point as it draws my eyes into the frame. Lighting is always important. And, the colors and textures are an added bonus.