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Intensely beautiful winter sunset lights the beach, surf and sky near Ten Mile Creek on South Island, New Zealand.

The sea on the west coast is scary. Earlier that day I was nearly swept away, nearly lost my camera, lost my gear. You can be shooting by the sea in New Zealand for ages feeling safe, staying dry when suddenly you're knee deep in water from a rogue wave that's swept in from some unexpected direction just as you're in the middle of changing lenses. I watched as my camera bag started to float away, wide open to the elements and the sudden flood. Somehow the innards stayed dry and both me and my gear survived and chastened, grabbed this shot later in the day. The sea on the west is huge and the light stunning. There is an immense grandeur to the surroundings that take your breath away but belie the unpredictable nature you are immersed in. I'd learned my lessons and kept every bit of gear strapped on, ready to run at the first sign of trouble.