A photo of Cocoa Beach's hazy horizon and gently rolling waves has been named Photo of the Week by the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. The image, taken on March 12 near the north end of the beach, shows the contrast between the pale gray clouds and the deep blue ocean. Local resident Marsha Delgado, who submitted the photo, said she was inspired by the way the light filtered through the clouds that afternoon. "It felt like the sky was holding its breath," she said in an email to the department.
The 32-millimeter shot captures the iconic stretch of sand where the Indian River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Lifeguard towers dot the shoreline in the background, and a few swimmers are visible in the foreground. The photo has been shared more than 2,000 times on the department's social media accounts since its posting on Thursday.
Cocoa Beach is one of Brevard County's most popular destinations, drawing over 3 million visitors annually. The beach is maintained by the county's parks department, which also operates 13 other public beaches along the Space Coast. Park ranger David Ruiz said the photo reminds residents of the area's natural beauty. "We get so used to seeing the same beaches every day that we forget how special they are," he said during a press briefing on Friday.
The winning photo was chosen from over 150 submissions received this month. The department's photo contest is open to all residents, with entries judged on composition, originality, and ability to capture the essence of Brevard County. The prize for the winning entry is a $200 gift card to the Cocoa Village Market. The photo will be displayed at the Brevard County Government Center through April 5.