Low tide catches the reflection of pink clouds at Lighthouse Beach Park.
The beach is well known for its shelling.
The park is popular with astrophotographers thanks to its dark skies.
All photos by Britt Maxwell.
From Smithsonian.com, with sponsored content from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel:
One of the region’s most iconic landmarks, the Sanibel Lighthouse was built in 1884 for cattlemen who hoped it would guide visitors to the island and spark trade. Today, the iron structure stands as a testament to Sanibel’s history. While the lighthouse is closed to the public, the surrounding beach is a popular spot to search for shells, and winding nature trails lead visitors through tall sea grass past marsh rabbits and all manner of sea birds. Britt recommends visiting at low tide and wading into the shallows (being mindful of the current) in order to capture a wide view of the lighthouse. Branches and overgrowth in the surrounding vegetation also offer opportunities to frame the structure in an eye-catching way.
In 2015, Sanibel passed a Dark Skies ordinance, limiting the amount of light visible after sundown to protect turtles and other wildlife. As a result, many photographers now linger at Lighthouse Beach Park late into the evening for the chance to capture images of star clusters. “In just a short amount of time you go from ‘I was just shooting birds on the beach’ to landscapes or shells and water, the lighthouse, the sunset, and now I’m doing astrophotography—and I haven’t moved a car,” says Britt.
