Sunset and Watercolor Skies at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D300, handheld, f5.6, 1/125, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light
My focus is usually birds and animals but as many of you know I also can’t resist taking images of the beautiful views I see such as these two views of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge last week. On the 9th of September there were clouds to the east as the sun began to set. The colors and shapes of the clouds reminded me of a watercolor painting while the marsh and the Lower Lake anchored me to the earth.
Sunrise and Crepuscular Rays at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D300, handheld, f5.6, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 26mm, natural light
On the way out of the Lower Lake campgrounds at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge crepuscular rays were plainly visible above the rising sun as it emerged from behind the mountains to the east on the morning of September 13th. This was my last view on my last day at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and as usual I always find it hard to say goodbye to a place that brings me joy and peace.
Finding refuge in a refuge.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red Rock Lakes NWR photos.
I also love to watch clouds but never knew those sunbeams had a scientific name. From optics.kulgun.net
“At sunset it is common to see rays or beams of sun light radiating from the sun. These are called crepuscular rays. The first thing to stress about crepuscular rays is that they are actually parallel beams of light, and not diverging as they appear. This is an illusion caused by perspective. The sun is so far away that the light reaching the earth is fairly well collimated and obstructions such as clouds or mountains cause bright beams of light, or darks shadows, in the atmosphere which are very close to parallel and just appear to converge or diverge. The further away something is, the smaller it looks. This is what causes the edges of a straight road or railway tracks to look like they converge in the distance.”
What a beautiful place to see, to absorb, to cherish.
Gorgeous photos, Mia. The first one is breathtaking! Nice work, as always!
Oooooh! Boy!!!!!!!!!!!
Stunning! My heart did an extra beat. So achingly beautiful, Mia. Thank you.
Just gorgeous! Love both.
Beautiful photos, Mia. Please take a bow.