17 May 2026

A Last Light on the Laguna

Sunset over the Laguna Madre at South Padre Island, Texas, with a long wooden pier extending into glass-still water and a small cluster of boats moored at its end beneath a sky of magenta, orange, and soft blue.
A Last Light on the Laguna

On our last evening at South Padre Island last month, we gathered for dinner with our hosts and friends at a small bayside restaurant, the kind where the air carries equal parts salt and laughter. The conversation moved easily from one frame to the next — the shoots we had done, the birds we had chased, the small triumphs of the week. Our spouses, none of them photographers, had enjoyed themselves just as much, which is its own quiet measure of a good trip.

At one point, I looked to my left, almost by accident, and the sky stopped me. The sun was sliding toward the Laguna Madre in hues of magenta, orange, and a slow-cooling blue, and the bay had turned to a sheet of rose-gold glass. A wooden pier reached out into all that color, and a few boats sat moored at its end, silent as if they too were watching.

There was no rush to it. No drama. Just an evening folding gently in on itself, the way the best ones do — the kind that, weeks later, you find you can still feel on your skin. There is a Portuguese word for what a moment like this leaves behind: saudade. A tender ache for something that is still there, almost, and at the same time already gone.

This frame was captured on my Samsung S23 phone — proof, once again, that the best camera is the one you have when the sky decides to show off. Edits were minimal: basic adjustments in Lightroom, with final tweaks in Luminar and Topaz Photo.

That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Cellpic Sunday, Landscapes, South Padre Island, Sunset, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.

Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday.

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32 Responses

  1. Anita
    | Reply

    This is such a lovely frame, Egídio. The colors and the peaceful atmosphere feel like one of those evenings that stay with you.

  2. Rebecca Cuningham
    | Reply

    Wonderful sunset photo to admire with saudade.

  3. margaret21
    | Reply

    What a perfect, serene and lovely memory.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Margaret. It was a great place to visit and return.

  4. Bay Photos By Donna
    | Reply

    Peaceful, serene….I love it!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Donna. I’m glad you found it peaceful.

  5. Marsha
    | Reply

    Beautiful photo, Egidio, and the word, saudade sounds so beautiful in my head, not that I can pronounce it. I’m saying it with a Spanish accent. You should add a little audio, so we can hear your voice saying it. 🙂

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks so much, Marsha. That’s a great idea about the voice bite.

      • Marsha
        | Reply

        I listened to Nigel reading poems, and it was so moving, and I’d love to hear your voice speaking a language I can’t sound out myself. (Unless I hear your voice and it matches what is in my head.)

  6. Wandering Dawgs
    | Reply

    Egidio, what a beautiful sunset and a beautiful memory.

  7. Pamela Zmija Photography
    | Reply

    Beautiful colour’s and composition!

  8. philosophy through photography
    | Reply

    Egidio, that is more than a photo, it is one of those evenings that stays in the mind long Amazing how a simple phone captured something so rich.

  9. photobyjohnbo
    | Reply

    A beautiful sunset, Egidio! Our sunset is missing tonight, hidden behind heavy clouds and light rain.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, John. Skies are also cloudy here, and there is a chance of rain for tonight and the next few days.

  10. Terri Webster Schrandt
    | Reply

    This is a stunning photograph Egidio! I have the same phone S23U…it’s amazing!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Terri. Sometimes, I’m amazed at how well these phones capture photos like that.

  11. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    This sunset is so beautiful Egidio. Sometimes it’s a good idea to turn around!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I totally agree, Anne. Sunsets can be beautiful in all directions. Thanks for writing.

  12. Pepper
    | Reply

    So glad you turned around in time to see this beautiful scene. Well done!

  13. klh048
    | Reply

    Beautiful shot and beautiful memory. I was near there almost 50 years ago and your photo brought back the old memories — saudade.

  14. margaret21
    | Reply

    What a perfect memory you’ve shown us. Thanks for sharing it.

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