Monday, January 30, 2012

Molten Lava Sky



(Click here for the bigger, better version)

Absolutely minimal processing. One tweak of exposure. A tiny bit of noise reduction because it was shot with the G7 at ISO 400, at least. Maybe 800. No Kidding.

We were on our way back from Los Angeles, Thursday, and The Husband decided on a whim to take the all-freeway route back home. We had both just commented on what a beautiful day it had been with the air still clean and fresh from the rain earlier in the week. We were crossing the Mojave Desert when the sun began to dip to the horizon and we could see we were headed for a lovely sunset. We couldn't have known we were in for this treat. The Husband pulled off the freeway in the Mojave Desert and we stood, for some time, gaping at this giant cloud looking more like molten lava than any cloud I have seen. I wish I had been carrying a wide angle lens and a camera to do this justice, but just watching this marvel was reward enough. Any record at all was a bonus for me.

16 comments:

  1. Outstanding. Was a storm close behind?

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    1. Steve, I forgot to mention that interesting fact: that there was no storm to follow. It was another quiet, cold night and the next day dawned bright as could be.

      Sorry about this link. It appears that I have to give up on using this link business that really should work.

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  2. Wow! That is an impressive cloud and a lovely shot of it, Anita. I see that The Husband is highly trained. He pulled over without your having to ask! :)

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Paul. I won't mention that "highly trained" comment to The Husband. ;-) Truth is I am blessed to have a spouse who appreciates a scene like this one as much as I do. The stopping was entirely his idea. He knows I would want to stop every couple of miles. We would never reach any destination.

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    2. Yeah, we'll keep that comment between us! ;) It's good that he can balance the stops.

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    3. Great. We'll stick together on this.

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  3. Wow, the cloud seems like a viscous liquid, blueberry ice cream perhaps. Okay, I see the lava, too. :)

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    1. I hadn't seen ice cream, but now that you mention it. Hmmm! Thanks.

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  4. I would have stopped for this sight too, with or without a camera. I'm glad you were able to get this shot and share it, but the real beauty is that you realize that you would have enjoyed this just as much without the camera.

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    1. You are so right, Ken. My husband enjoyed the stop at least as much as I did. I don't recall ever having seen a cloud quite like this one. It was a privilege to stand there in the desert marveling at it, while it loomed over us, covering the entire western horizon. It felt a bit like the space ship at the opening of the original "Star Wars". Breathtaking.

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  5. Awesome image and I would have stopped, also! It does seem to me you have found a great man in this husband. Well done, Anita!

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    1. I know you would have stopped, Monte. You're right about my find. I am a lucky lady. Thanks for the comment.

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  6. What a gorgeous sky. It looks like someone rolled out sheets of brightly colored cotton batten.

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    1. I had not thought of fabric, Roberta. What a wonderful way to describe this. It works. Thank you for your comment.

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  7. "Any record at all was a bonus to me."

    As this photo is to us.

    Sights like this don't happen often and it's a lucky day when you get to observe it first hand. I'm glad you had the G7 along because there's no way you could do justice to this in a verbal description.

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    1. I know you carry your S90 for the same reason, Earl. It is better to wish you had the DSLR, but settle for the smaller camera you do have, than have no camera at all. Revisiting the image brings back that sense of awe each time. I wouldn't have forgotten the sight; but, I am glad I got something that will remind me that it really was that awesome.

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Anita