Sunset from Kaanapali Beach on Maui (with a new toy!)

I bought a ND filter to take on the trip and tonight I finally used it. It's still a bit of a guessing game for me, but this is the one shot that sort of worked. The ND allows me to use a small aperture (f10) but long exposure (30 seconds) even when the sun is still bright. I also added a polarizing lens, to see what it might do for defining the clouds. I did a little tweak in Color Efex to bring back out the colors in the sky better. What I thought was interesting is the way everything is diffused and smoothed out, from the very wavy ocean to the fast moving clouds.
I hope you aren't bored with palm trees and sun shots! I'm guessing this won't be the last!
One last Oahu sunset in extras album - http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2013-12-22
And one more rainbow, from Maui late afternoon - http://365project.org/taffy/special-photos/2013-12-22
Thank you all so much for your ongoing support while I'm on this trip and barely keeping up with posting, much less commenting. The double TT and then the winner of Get-Pushed made this the most amazing photo week.

[Suse♡]

Oh I adore the softness here, beautiful!

[Nicole]

wow so pretty!!

[Pam Knowler]

Gorgeous - love the way the filter has softened everything!! Beautiful tone!! Just wait til you use it on water shots and see how silky it makes the moving water!! You are on a real high with your photography - congratulations!! I have never made TT so I suppose I will have to carry on and try another 365 to see if I can manage it!! LOL!! Too many top photographers on 365 I think!!

[Kazzy]

Wonderful dreamy capture and processing!

[Leana Niemand]

A very interesting shot, enjoy your new toys! Well done on a great week!!!!

[Claire]

Great sky!

[Kerri]

Beautiful

[carol white]

Lovely colours!!

[Elizabeth]

The filter and processing gives this a feel of the softly blowing trade winds that I love in the islands!

[KWind]

Nice effect the filter created. Love the colours.

[🐞Lucy Dolittle]

This is lovely, beautiful earthy colours

[Amrita]

Beautiful... so atmospheric!

[8yearson]

Wonderful clouds and composition... Merry Christmas to you!

[Linda]

It is like a mirage. Wonderfully effective and different.

[Gayanne Campbell]

Merry Christmas! This is a fabulous capture, the sky is fantastic!

[Mac]

Looks like velvet!

[Hope D Jennings]

Congrats on your new toy!

[Penny Price]

How can we be bored with sun shots and palm trees. Love what you've done here.

[Marloes]

Wow, it made me think of the old film 'Casablanca'. Great shot. Wonderful sky colors and glow on the trees.

[Sally Ings]

Very interesting effect. I must still experiment more with my ND filter. I've only done a couple of waterfall pics!

[virtualbrownie]

Lovely effect and colours

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

What a terrific effect. I rarely use my ND filters but I can see that I ought to!

[Milanie]

This really turned out beautifully - The colors and softness make a beautiful scene.

[Lisa Stein]

This is so romantic! Love the colors and blur. I love to visit your album, Taffy!

[Shepherdman's Wife]

This is a very interesting effect. I like the blur in the trees and the colour in the sky.

[Raye]

You are an inspiration, Taffy! This is amazing! The filter and the processing are so well done, very creative, and well thought! You have a great eye!

[Junko Y]

Love the dreamy view! Can't wait to see your new toys. Also if you click on month view, you have had a lovely orange month!

[Taffy]

@jyokota Hi Junko! I didn't realize how orange this month has been!! So funny -- I couldn't have done it if I'd planned it. Thanks for pointing it out. Off to sleep...tomorrow is whale watching and I have a HORRIBLE cold. I'd cancel if it were anything else. Bummed.

[Taffy]

@sunraye Thanks Raye -- that is such a wonderful compliment and I really appreciate it!

[Peter Dulis]

Wonderful efect + colors ...

[Bill Fenske]

I really like the diffused look this has.

[Dione Giorgio]

Stunning sunset colours.

[☠northy]

so wonderfully dreamy!

[Taffy]

@northy @sangwann @bill_fe @pdulis
Thanks so much for your comments today! I'm slowly starting to catch up and look forward to seeing more of your albums finally!!

[Dawn Moder]

Beautiful. Love the softness tones! Great shot though!

[Arefin]

looks very dreamy and painterly! love the tones and softness!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Nicely captured- it looks like a painting!

[Caz]

Very soft and dreamy, lovely