I've been fortunate enough to visit 20+ islands in the Caribbean in just about as many years. On every island that has a decent Westward facing beach people congregate at sunset in the hope of witnessing the elusive and mystical Green Flash. The Green Flash is, well, a green flash that occurs just as the Sun drops below the horizon. Or so I've heard, many more times than I'd care to count.
Sadly, over these many years, many islands, and many many sunsets, I have yet to see the Green Flash and have begun to wonder if those that do are either nuts or just marveling at the Emperor's new clothes [for the Fairy Tale deprived - lying]. I suppose at some point I may have to consider that the fault may somehow lie with me but that is certainly a last resort.
In any case, our last trip took us to Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands which turned out to be the perfect place to put the Green Flash to the test. My venue of choice was Coral Reef restaurant and my scientifically selected focus group consisted of the random cross section of tourists, locals, expatriate business owners that happened to show up that evening. I set up shop on a cozy sea side table. We ordered dinner and I set my trusty Canon A610 to video mode and perched it on the rail facing due West over the beach.
Yes, it was now just a matter of time. Would the video capture the elusive Green Flash and bare out the oohs and ahhs of the focus group while I scratched my bald spot in confusion? Would there even be a Green Flash to ooh and ahh about? The suspense was killing me but soon my wait was over.
Shortly after I hit the record button it occurred to me that the Flash may be a result of staring at the Sun, and as such would not be visible on the video even if it occurred. But then who knows. One ex-pat explained it this way: Yellow Sun, Blue sky/sea; Yellow + Blue = Green. I hoped he was right because that the video would capture. But then, again, who know. Certainly not me. All I know is that, like so many times before, I heard the oohs and ahhs but didn't see a flash. I didn't see it live and haven't seen it in any reruns. Maybe you'll have better luck than me. Either way it's a nice sunset.
Enjoy
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