The sun had been behind those clouds as it descended toward the southwestern ridge that outlines Disappointment Valley, and the light was soft and grey. Then the sun descended and lit up our world again – briefly – before it dropped and lit up the clouds above the western horizon.
Better (and more prepared) photographers than I am carry filters for such occasions when the sky is bright and the foreground subject is dark, so balance those darks and lights. … But you’ll have to use a bit of imagination to see Reya as I saw her under that fiery sky.
Our skies have been fairly bland and blue lately, which isn’t awful, really … but we’d like to see a few (OK, a lot) more clouds … especially ones carrying rain. (Isn’t that a frequent refrain on this blog? :))
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Just in case you’ve seen anything on the news about the Spring Creek Fire, it is NOT in or near Spring Creek Basin. It’s well north of here near Parachute, Colorado, which is on I-70 east of Grand Junction.
Colorado Sun coverage of the Spring Creek Fire here.
Inciweb information about the Spring Creek Fire here.
It’s hot. It’s dry. It’s terribly windy. Please be careful out there.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Beautiful photo, TJ, even without filters! Love those southwestern sunsets.
We need more clouds for more fiery sunsets. 😉
Beautiful! Another hard puzzle! Love those pintos! still getting smoke from the Canada fires here in Mi.
I hadn’t heard anything lately about the smoke from Canada fires, but I wondered. Sad that you’re still getting that smoke. Fortunately, we haven’t had any here yet – though the haze from wind-driven dust/dirt smudges our usually clear views.
oh my God TJ! You are a great photographer and I know how the best pictures come at sunrise and sunset. When I come back again let’s stay out later and I’ll keep my fingers crossed I don’t get a stomach ache so I can get more pictures than to standing in the field instead of sitting in the car! What a beautiful wonderful special world SCB and the mustangs are💗
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Nature inspires us, eh? 🙂 In all her colors!
Crazy windy here, too, even for the SLV. This is a beautiful horse and a beautiful sunset, but you knew that 😀
Ugh, that wind. It sucks up the moisture we don’t have. … Best to focus on the beauty as it comes. 🙂
The bright side of the wind for the dogs and me is no bugs out at the swamp aka Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge 😀 It’s very beautiful out there.
Ha – yes, I’m with you there (and we have nothing even close to resembling any swamps here!). If the wind is consistent, it mostly keeps the gnats away, but if it drops for even an instant (or isn’t blowing like a gale), those gnats are THICK. They may not bite, but they will drive a body insane! (My headnet is an essential part of my gear that I don’t go out without!) Glad you have that refuge to explore with your dogs. 🙂
Ahh the land the sky and the horse!
Much better in person than in the pic … stunning!