as seen from the White Temple ruin in Hidden Valley early this morning. Absolutely glorious. And quite COLD.
Though it’s not the actual winter solstice (still two days away) there was a weather window of perfect conditions that inspired eight intrepid adventurers to climb into Hidden Valley early this morning. We all scattered to various parts of the valley to make observations of how light played on various petroglyph panels near the shortest day of the year, and I nestled into the White Temple ruin with my camera. And waited. In the cold.
Sunrise is imminent in the deep notch between the two high and distant sandstone fins, or gnomons (the part of a sundial that casts a shadow).
Bang! Sunrise!
Minutes later a brightening landscape. Secret sauce for nice sun flares: f/22 aperture and a clean lens.
Looking back at the shadows cast by the sandstone fins, the gnomons, with the White Temple ruin marked as a O. An additional kiva-like structure sits atop the ridge at the X.
Wide view showing my observational position in the White Temple ruin in Hidden Valley.
Incredibly rare self portrait, with a couple of ancient friends. And an absolutely memorable day, with seven new friends.