Sunset over the Free State

It’s no surprise that once again I’m posting sunset photographs on Skywatch Friday. The sun, in the final eight minutes (I timed it!) before dipping off behind the horizon, is at its most exquisite in the Free State during the winter.

When the sun first starts to "go down", the colours are silvery gold,

quite cold looking, in fact.

I took all the photos from a fast-moving car. I was travelling back from Kwa Zulu Natal to the Free State after spending a weekend with my d.i.l., Debbie and three grandchildren. And no, I was not driving (LOL!); I was sitting in the back of the car snapping away, I wound down the window every time I saw a good photo opportunity. The temperatures in the Free State had dropped overnight which meant that the other passengers and I froze while I took the photos! I kept apologizing and they graciously told me to keep taking photos.

Gradually the colour of the sun and its rays, turns to bright gold

Later still, the sun really looks warm

And then it begins to turn a deep golden colour

The sun looks like molten gold spread across the horizon

I think the discomfort was worth it, don’t you?

For more sky photos in other parts of the world, go to www.blogspot.skyley.com