Sky Blue Pink

The “Sky Blue Pink” Experience

I entered Denali National Park and Preserve at 5:30 pm, photography permit in hand, and drove throughout the beautiful Alaskan mid-August night. The Mountain was out so I was on a mission to make Reflection Pond by sunrise.

Twelve hours and a whopping 86 miles later I was in position when the dawn cracked open and that certain something happens: the sun's first long wavelengths of red penetrate the atmosphere and commingle with the short scattered wavelengths of the deep blue morning sky. When that magic light infuses its subject with rosy color it is known as alpenglow. Or, as my grandpa used to say, "Sky Blue Pink."

Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, is seen here reflecting this first glorious wave of light off of Reflection Pond at 5:30 am. This is a special time and place when deep breathing exercises come very naturally.