Smith Rock

Smith Rock, just outside of Bend, Oregon, has got to be one of my favorite places to visit. Every time I go I'm awestruck by the towering spires of volcanic ash and completely decimated by the difficulty of climbing up Misery Ridge (yes that's the name of one of the paths up to the top). During this trip Oregon had treated us to a very gloomy day. Clouds and rain were present from Portland all the way to Bend. Upon arriving I was dead-set on at least getting a short hike in even though the day was dwindling quickly. Just around the river bend, looking over my shoulder I saw the light bursting through the clouds. The sun set behind me with light blasting the clouds and landscape before me as dark rain clouds moved off in the distance. After processing this photo a friend informed me these are Anti-Crepuscular sun rays. They somewhat of a rarity during a sunset but I was lucky enough to witness one! The effect is caused by the rays of light not converging on each other, but are angled away from your perspective enough that they appear to converge on a single area.
Regardless this is one of my personal favorite images and I hope it is one of yours as well. If you ever get the chance when you're in Oregon I can't recommend Smith Rock enough!

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