There are two key moments to watch for during any sunset – the instant the bottom of the sun touches the sea itself, and the final glimpse of the top edge of the sun as it slips below the horizon. (The later moment, sometimes producing what is called a “green flash,” is not the subject of many photographs because it is produces only a seldom seen, instantaneous wink of green light.) On the other hand, when a setting sun first touches the sea, a golden reflection sometimes seems to rise from the sea to greet it. Just such a fortunate moment occurs here. The sun has descended through a thin layer of overhead clouds, and a tiny strand of cloud still lingers across its upper quarter. These colors are illusory. We know that the sun becomes yellow as it nears the horizon, but at this instant only the top quarter remains yellow, half becomes orange, and the lower quarter turns red. The sun becomes a multi-colored disc of reflected color and light as it magically merges with the sea below it. These colors are created by how my digital camera’s sensor happens to record light and color. The edges of the sun seem to shimmer as well, an effect caused by my long telephoto lens. All of these illusory effects combine here to create a photograph of great natural beauty. This image also brings appropriate closure to a gallery devoted to finding new ideas in familiar subjects.