At this time of year, we’re back to taking “sun showers” when we can find them. This morning, the sun rose on a perfectly clear sky. We are expecting a very important phone call, so we tag-teamed the cabin, one person staying inside while two went out. When Aly came in, she told me that I should go look at the big thumb peak behind the informally-known-as LC Mountain. (My friend, Russ, reminds me the peak is named Mt. Sinclair.) She said the sun wasn’t really on it, but it glowed anyway.
I stepped out and saw the peak backlit by the rising sun, yet glowing on the shaded side. As I watched, the glow sharpened, and focused into a shaft of light. i ran for the camera, and, unfortunately, only got fuzzy photos, but you can kind of see what I saw.
Mt. Sinclair above LC Mountain, across from the homestead (Photo: Mark Zeiger).
There are glaciers up in there, and at least one kettle lake. I imagine the ice is polished smooth like a lens right now, and reflects the sun back onto the peak at certain angles. Whatever the source, it was a beautiful, fleeting sight. Within 10 minutes, it had disappeared.
The glow begins to focus . . . (Photo: Mark Zeiger).
(Photo: Mark Zeiger.)
(Photo: Mark Zeiger).
Hi Mark,
A remark from the Northern part of the Netherlands, near the coast, not as rough and beautiful as where you live but a smooth coast with green dykes, covered with sheep, to protect this below sea level country. You live in an amazing part of the world! My hubby and I visited a museum that had an exhibition on the Nova Zembla light which is all about the reflection of the sun in the sky, when the sun is below the horizon. You get all kinds of weird reflections in the sky then, a sort of fata morgana`s, ships are mirrored in the sky and sometimes you can see the reflection of the sea behind the dykes. Strange and fascinating! Your pictures are astounding too. Have fun over there and keep warm.
regards, Afina
Hello Afina,
That would be a fascinating exhibit! My father lived in Barrow, the northernmost settlement in our state, and saw fata morgana phenomena there. I suspect that in the case of my photos, this was ice reflection, as the sun, while not high, had risen above the lower peaks of the range. Whatever it was, it was, as you say, strange and fascinating.
I have Dutch ancestry, and a woman who is like my second mother is Dutch with strong ties to the Netherlands. I dream of visiting your country some day! The photos and films I’ve seen show it to be beautiful.
Thanks for commenting, and visiting the blog!
Sincerely,
Mark