21 Times The Sun Made Virginia The Most Beautiful Place On Earth

Virginia is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on earth. From soaring mountains to rolling hills to miles of beautiful ocean coastline, we have access to an immense array of natural beauty. But add the right light, and these already beautiful scenes transform into something even greater. The following images were captured by photographers around the state, showing that surreal moment when the light turns an ordinary world into magic.

1. Virginia Beach sunrise.

2. Coal Tower Silhouette in Charlottesville.

3. Approaching sunset in Newport News.

4. Botetourt County beauty at sunset.

The sun dips behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, but does not go quietly in this breathtaking photograph.

5. Sea oats in silhouette at the northern tip of Virginia Beach.

6. Sun over the Chesapeake Bay.

7. The Chesapeake Bay goes gold and blue at a Phoebus marina.

We are so used to the reds, pinks and purples of sunset, that sometimes we forget how the sun can turn the world into pure gold.

8. Sunrise at McIntire Park in Charlottesville.

9. Assateague Island sunrise on the Eastern Shore.

10. The sun peeks over Cahas Mountain near Boone's Mill in Franklin County.

11. An old barn at sunrise in Chesapeake.

The position of the sun and the timing of the photographer work in perfect harmony to catch this sunburst.

12. Dawn Patrol at Virginia Beach.

If you've ever wondered why surfers get up so early, this picture explains it.

13. Sunrise at City Park in Portsmouth.

14. Shrimping in Chincoteague.

The sunset makes a picture-perfect backdrop as this shrimp boat returns to dock on Chincoteague Island.

15. A sunset view from Stony Man on the Skyline Drive.

16. Raven's Roost at sunset.

The lone figure silhouetted against the sunset sky in the photo tells a story in itself.

17. Rockfish Valley fairy tale.

The way the light comes through the clouds in this exquisitely composed image makes the valley look like the setting of a fairy tale.

18. When sunset turns the landscape into a painting…

…this is what it looks like.

19. The Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk with sunlight accents.

20. First light at Great Falls Park in McLean.

21. Sunday Park in Midlothian.

As always, many thanks and much respect to our state's talented photographers. What do you think of these incredible works? Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!