Tag: sunset

An Early but Brief Start of the Monsoon

The North American Monsoon got an early start in northern Arizona this year with copious amounts of precipitation over the San Francisco Peaks and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, we are now experiencing an extended monsoon break with mostly clear skies and hot temperatures.

Here are some photograph taken during that wet period.

A partial rainbow over Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona.
A partial rainbow over Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona.
The rainbow is gone but sunset colors are seen in the clouds and the reflection in the lake.
The rainbow is gone but sunset colors are seen in the clouds and the reflection in the lake.
A partial rainbow over the grasslands of Wupatki National Monument.
A partial rainbow over the grasslands of Wupatki National Monument.
A zoomed-in segment of the rainbow showing supernumary bows.
A zoomed-in segment of the rainbow showing supernumary bows.
Sunset at Wukoki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
Sunset at Wukoki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.

Here are the June rainfall totals from the Flagstaff rain gauge network.

June rainfall totals for the Flagstaff raingage network.
June rainfall totals for the Flagstaff raingage network.

Clouds at Sunset at Rogers Lake

The past week has featured dry conditions with mostly cloudless skies. That changed on Wednesday as a weak disturbance moved across the Southwest and brought a bit of moisture to the area. By afternoon it was evident that there would be some interesting clouds at sunset so we headed to Rogers Lake County Natural Area, located a few miles southwest of Flagstaff.

A view of the San Francisco Peaks reflected in the shallow waters of Rogers Lake.
A view of the San Francisco Peaks reflected in the shallow waters of Rogers Lake.

Our first stop was at the southern end of the lake which allowed us to take photographs over the water looking towards the San Francisco Peaks. The winds began to calm as the sun lowered in the west providing interesting reflections of the peaks in the smooth water. Note: lots of bugs but they weren’t annoying.

Sunset over Rogers lake from the northern viewing area. Wetland grasses are already growing tall in the shallow waters of the lake.
Sunset over Rogers lake from the northern viewing area. Wetland grasses are already growing tall in the shallow waters of the lake.
A zoomed-in view of the wetland grasses and sunset reflections on the waters of Rogers Lake.
A zoomed-in view of the wetland grasses and sunset reflections on the waters of Rogers Lake.

We then moved to the northern viewing area to shoot photos across the lake and towards a band of shallow convective clouds and the sun. There was a period of a few minutes in which the colors were greatly enhanced. I was using a 24–120mm lens for most of the early photographs but switched to a 200–500mm lens for some closeup photographs of the water. The wetland grasses were growing out of the shallow water and created an interesting abstract photo, especially with the sunset colors reflected on the water.

Panoramic view of Rogers Lake at sunset.
Panoramic view of Rogers Lake at sunset.

The panoramic image was shot using an iPhone.

The forecast calls for several more days with clouds and showers so there may be additional opportunities.

Clouds at Sunset

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Storms were moving across the region and there was a chance of rainbows developing. But, in the end, the geometry was not right with the heavy rain in the wrong location for rainbows. Instead, we got these colorful clouds as the sun began to set.

I was happy with the results.

Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbows, and Fog

The North American Monsoon continues to bring convective activity to much of northern Arizona on a daily basis. There have been plenty of opportunities for colorful sunrises and sunsets as well as rainbows and even some fog.

Light rain showers are illuminated by the rising sun over Anderson Mesa.
Light rain showers are illuminated by the rising sun over Anderson Mesa.
A partial rainbow appears right after sunrise over Mormon Mountain.
A partial rainbow appears right after sunrise over Mormon Mountain.
Early morning light on Upper Lake Mary.
Early morning light on Upper Lake Mary.
Sunset colors illuminate a thunderstorm near Twin Arrows.
Sunset colors illuminate a thunderstorm near Twin Arrows.
The setting sun briefly illuminates heavy rain falling on the San Francisco Peaks.
The setting sun briefly illuminates heavy rain falling on the San Francisco Peaks.
Light rain from a dissipating thunderstorm is illuminated by the setting sun.
Light rain from a dissipating thunderstorm is illuminated by the setting sun.
The almost daily rainfall has resulted in many opportunities for morning fog.
The almost daily rainfall has resulted in many opportunities for morning fog.

The rainy season should continue for at least a few more weeks so there should be additional opportunities for colorful photographs.

Sunset panorama

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Sunset panorama over Flagstaff.
Sunset panorama over Flagstaff.

Yesterday (01 August) had only scattered thunderstorm activity for much of the day. However, radar indicated a weak convergence boundary near Flagstaff so there was a chance of late afternoon storms developing close by. And so it did happen.

A strong storm was located east of Flagstaff just before and after sunset. As the sun dropped to the horizon the underside of the storm and anvil cloud was lit with golden hour light. This is a panorama of that view. It was taken with a ultra-wide-angle lens in portrait mode with ten individual images that were stitched together.

Beautiful!