Wednesday, 30th December 2009
Fireball
by Marc Adamus
Oregon's Alvord desert, one of the most remote road-accessible places in the US, has gripped my attention for more than two decades. Steens mountain looms 6000ft. over the dry playa to the west and creates enough of a disturbance in the atmosphere to cause an abundance of lenticular waves (shown here) in winter. The region is also host to a number of other treasures worth exploring.
On the evening of December 31, 2008, myself and a couple members of the high desert preservation group ONDA caught this light show as it spread onto the lenticular formation at least 10 minutes after we thought any chance of a sunset had passed. Red saturation was barely even touched in the RAW file. It was truly incredible. The foreground is comprised of slightly raised cracks and streaks left behind by muddy water and wind.
I hesitate to name or describe this place, as for me, its most enjoyable quality is the solitude here.
Equipment: Canon 1Ds Mark III, 14mm f/2.8
Marc Adamus
I am a professional landscape photographer based in the Northwest US. My love in life is wilderness. I seek to bring my experiences to you through photography.
Website: www.marcadamus.com
Fireball by Marc Adamus was photo of the day on Wednesday, 30th December 2009. It is tagged Deserts, Weather. You can leave a comment below.
35 Comments
Dianne
Marc, again you capture the immense beauty of this region. As a child, my Dad took me hunting in the Steens mountains and many times we saw incredible sky sites. Lots of snow also!! Truly a place beyond description. Absolutely gorgeous!!! Thank you for capturing and sharing such an awesome photo. It is incredibly eerie, and quiet, can just feel the air. I so enjoy your talent.
ali shokri
Wonderful shots,
texture and sky clouds are amazing ,
thanks for share
Adam
I had no idea Oregon has desert. Amazing shot. Thanks.
Anurag
This is a most amazing and incredible shot Marc. You are a genius.
I am truly mesmerised.
Just my 2 cents – how about opening up the foreground just a little bit?
Waseem Asmar
awesome work dear Marc…as always
best wishes…
MV Photography
I don’t usually take the time to comment on photos much, but this image stopped me in my tracks. Truly breathtaking. Well done.
Danette
Never seen anything like it – spectacular!
John Harrison
Marc,
Another stunning beauty! Really love the composition and lighting. Wish I had been there! Keep shooting,
John
Pauline Jones
This picture looks as if it has been super saturated; if it is natural then it must have been a really spectacular sight.
Chris Boynton
Great Shot – I’ve seen these colours 15-20 minutes after sunset in the UK.
Sue
What a great way to spend New Year! Thanks for sharing such wonderful places and special experiences with those of us stuck in the city! Lovely evocative capture, as always.
su
What an awesome shot, thanks for sharing, the love you have for the place certainly shines through. Congrats on a well deserved POTD
Sónia
Hi Marc!
Absolute amazing photo! A big UAU! The clouds seem to embrace the earth! Very very nice in deed
By the way, how do you get that sharpness in your photos (presenteing them in the internet…?)
Pedro Afonso
This one of best images that i ever seen. The colors are so good in this one!
Fredlab
Wow… fantastic shot
I’m jealous.
Örvar Atli Þorgeirsson
Spetacular display of colors and textures Marc. As you show there are still alot of spetacular things and areas to explore which are rarely photographed.
Linda Strawn
Marc, you are a special gift. I ordered 2 of your Wild Journeys 2010 calendars and the demand exceeded your expectations. Your representative Brian called me personally and searched the distribution outlets for these calendars and then FedExd them!!! Somehow your photos capture the essence of nature’s integrity and prove your own.
Andrew
Heavens waffle maker?
Pretty incredible shot even though I see some added pixelation, but its still a great shot.
Andrew
Mark, I just ordered your 2010 calendar. Great shots, simply amazing wilderness footage. You definitely have a gift
.
Renee
Marc, I am in such awh this shot is incredible, you have captured it wonderfully! Keep up the excellent work!
Grete
Incredible image, is amazing, I can not stop staring it! Mark, really you are a superb photographer! I like very much the saturation touched in the RAW. Congrats ans Regards from Argentine.
pierre
WOW ….. an amazing photo Marc…. surreal
varanasi
Amazing color
Matt
Oh …. my … God ;o)
Stunning
Evan Spellman
Marc, You’ve created a magical scene with your camera here. Its like Dante’s inferno–Spectacular Natural Photograph!!
Marie Dunphy Harding
Commenters before me have said it all & with great respect for you as the photographer, this is spectacular. thank you.
mike
I never seen a sky like that before. Amazing.
João Ganhão
One of my favorite shots! Nice work! Happy 2010!
Laurie
Absolutely amazing! I love sunsets, but this is beyond description!
miro
Very nice,,,,
Katherine Lee Strassburg
OMG–said aloud when this came up on screen! Spectacular! Thanks for taking me there.
Photos by Nik
Wow this is an amazing picture
Vlad
Awesome, it’s stunning.
paul whitton
even as a portrait orientated photo the impact is stunning! I cant imagine what it was like to see this first hand! you have put the time in and have reeped the rewards! congratulation, truly amazing photograph!!!
jack garratt
Right place, right time, right eye, camera in hand…Caught!