Desert Sunset, Desert Clouds

One of the things I love about living in Sedona is the wondrous play of light at sunrise and sunset. Often the high clouds break up into many little cloudlets, and for a few minutes as the sun tips over the horizon, they are lit from underneath by the golden or red light of sunset. I love the gold and silver tones of these clouds, and the variety of light they capture.

This particular image, with its many shades of blues, golds, and grays, reminds me of William Wordsworth's definition of poetry: "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." For me, a beautiful photograph offers the experience of reconnecting with the awe and deep pleasure of a moment when light, color, and shape come together to create a living masterpiece that lasts for mere seconds or minutes. This was one of those moments.