Im sure most people realise that the sun set moves throughout the year. Using Whitby West Pier as a point of reference I aim to post a sunset from each month of the year in 2017.

If possible I will take them from the lighthouse. However, if its not open or possible for any reason I will take them from somewhere on the West Pier.

January Sunset At Whitby – Saturday 14th Jan 2017

January’s photograph was taken on Saturday the 14th, the day after the big storm surge that hit the town hard causing flooding, damage to property and leaving some onlookers who got a little too close, with some quite bad injuries.

I had walked into town to grab some photographs of the damage caused by the storm of the previous day. As the Lighthouse was open I decided for some shots from the top. When i went to pay the entry fee I had no Money in my wallet, but the lady knew me and knew of my photographs and said i did enough to promote the town and the lighthouse so i could go up free of charge. That was a nice gesture and Im very grateful to the lady for that.

As you can see, In January the sun sets right over Whitby almost in the south. Its a long way until mid summer when hopefully we can capture the sun setting in the sea off Sandsend ness for at least two months and perhaps even 3 if we get the right weather. From memory, the first sunset into the sea visible from the piers is in late May.

 

A Whitby Sunset in January 2017 Taken from The Top Of Whitby Lighthouse On Whitby West Pier

A Whitby Sunset in January 2017 Taken from The Top Of Whitby Lighthouse On Whitby West Pier

February Sunset At Whitby – Tuesday 14th Feb 2017 (My Birthday 🙂 )

Its been a cold month with endless grey skies and damp uninspiring days. But on February the 14th, my birthday, the sun shone once again and enabled me to capture the February Sunset photograph for this 12 month Project.

As you can see by comparing Februarys photograph to that from January above, the sun is starting its journey out to the western skies for sunset. Although the lighthouse was closed today, I took this image from virtually the same place, just lower down at ground Level.

The sunset was at 5.09pm today, thats full 62 minutes later than it was in the last photograph taken on the 14th January 2017 when Sun set over the Royal Hotel at Whitby at 4.07pm

 

Where Does The Sun Set At Whitby. February 14th 2017

Where Does The Sun Set At Whitby. February 14th 2017

March Sunset At Whitby – Friday 24th Feb 2017

With the odd exception its been a much warmer month with some very nice days and clear skies. Its now over a month since my last sunset photograph from the area near the lighthouse on Whitby West Pier. The sun is now setting well to the right hand side of The Metropole building upon west cliff. Another month and it may just be over the village of Sandsend.

Whitby Sunset - March 2017. The Sun Is Now Setting Well To The Right Of The Metropole On West Cliff

Whitby Sunset – March 2017. The Sun Is Now Setting Well To The Right Of The Metropole On West Cliff

April Sunset At Whitby – Sunday 23rd April 2017

Its been another very mild and dry month since my last post. I had expected the sun to be setting over sandsend Village. I was shocked to see it set way to the right of the village, infact it’s now halfway along Sandsend Cliffs.

I imagine that the next photograph I post will show the sun setting into the sea. Whitby of course is only one of 2 places on the entire east coast where the sun rises and sets in the North Sea.

Whitby Sunsets - Where The Sun Sets In April At Whitby

Whitby Sunsets – Where The Sun Sets In April At Whitby

May Sunset At Whitby – Monday 22nd May 2017

It seems so long ago now that I started this project in mid January. I remember that day well, it was a day after the huge storm surge that hit the town. I remember taking the photograph from the top of the lighthouse and watching the sun set well in land over the Royal Hotel.

Five months later, and the sun is now setting in the sea. Once again I used the area of the west pier lighthouse as the reference point, and at roughly 10 past 9, the sun set into the sea. This marks the beginning of one of my favourite times here at Whitby.

Through June and July it seems as if the sky never gets dark, and certainly the horizon out to the north of the town will now stay light for most of the night, right through until mid or late July. Some fantastic months and hopefully some fantastic photographs too now lie ahead.

May 2017 and the sun is now setting into the sea At Whitby

May 2017 and the sun is now setting into the sea At Whitby

You can buy these pictures and other photographs of Whitby Sunsets here.