Brocken spectre & glory
A fast moving late May storm brought low clouds and snow showers to the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. As the storm cleared I was treated to this Brocken spectre and glory that lasted for only a few seconds.
A Brocken spectre is an optical phenomenon where the sun casts a long shadow into the mist and fog below, and a glory is the rainbow halo that appears around the head of the person’s shadow and is caused by light refracting of water droplets in the atmosphere.
Please click on the image for an expanded view.
Adam Schallau is a photographer whose work explores a variety of topics that
include the landscape, culture and people of the American Southwest and Rocky
Mountains. It is with a profound respect for the land, its people and their
history that Adam sets out to recapture the spirit of a place to tell a story
through his photography.
Adam is a recipient of the Luminous Landscape Endowment Award and was an Artist-in-Residence
at Grand Canyon National Park.
I love the image from clear to fuzzy in appearance. The halo is mystical.
I have heard about these before. Do they happen often? I’m assuming that conditions have to be just right. Awesome, Adam!!
Hi Mom, thanks for stopping by to take a look and leave a comment.
Sarah, this was the first “good” Brocken Spectre that I have seen since I became aware of them nearly ten years ago.
Best,
Adam