Out of the Shadow

Do you suppose, because I live in the shadow of a very tall mountain for four months every winter, that I go completely bonkers when I get out of that shadow into direct sunlight?



You think that's the reason? Is that why I can't drive by Trail Lake on the way to the post office without scoping out the photo possibilities.


And Kenai Lake, which still hasn't frozen over despite temperatures below zero for what seems like months. There's always just enough of a current or breeze to keep the surface crinkled and "unfreez-able."


Is that escape from shadow why I take pictures of snow-laden trees with the sun highlighting them--on my way to the dump?

Or back up and park at a pull-out beside Trail River to get a shot of the sun behind this spruce while vapor rises from an open spot in the river?


Even the setting sun as it reaches distant peaks makes me stop on the highway and get out the camera.

Do you suppose that's why?

Or, is it really that stunning?

(NOTE: Click on the pix to enlarge them, then click again for full screen.)