Luminous Snow-covered Promontory Mountains

While I was driving to the auto tour loop at Bear River MBR last week, I stopped to take photos of the luminous, snow-covered Promontory Mountains.

Snow-covered Promontory Mountains alpenglow – Nikon D810, f10, 1/400, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18 mm, natural light

The playas and flats next to the road were still in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountain Range to the east. That seemed to make the Promontory Mountains glow even brighter. The mountains peaks looked stunning in the pink alpenglow.

Alpenglow is a stunning natural phenomenon that occurs when the sun is below the horizon but its rays illuminate the mountaintops with a warm, rosy glow. The term “alpenglow” is derived from the German word “Alpenglühen,” which translates to “Alps glow.” This effect is particularly striking during the winter months, when the sun’s angle is low and the snow-covered peaks of the mountains reflect the light. Alpenglow can be seen in mountainous regions all around the world, but it is especially famous in the Alps and the Rockies.

It has been wonderful to consistently see snow on the Promontory Mountains this winter. For several winters in a row, by this time of the year those peaks were pretty much bare of snow.

I leave to head to the refuge when it is still dark at home and drive for about an hour. As I travel north the sky begins to brighten. I’m able to see the Earth Shadow and the Belt of Venus before I get off of the interstate.

Finding birds is always my primary objective when I head to the refuge. But if I don’t find birds I always see terrific views like this one. Additionally, I find a sense of peace, quiet, and simply being at the refuge soothes and excites me. Everything feels “right” when I am there.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge landscape photos plus information about the refuge.