New Alchemy

Tahoe Sunset

Towards evening an unusual phenomenon can often be experienced around the lake. During the late afternoon a strong breeze kicks up moving from the water up the slopes of the mountains. It is a warm and unsettling breeze often accompanied by insects and a drying almost irritating quality. Then as the Sun gets close enough to touch the horizon the atmosphere around the lake often becomes uncommonly still as the waters become calm and serene. This hesitation and stillness lasts while the Sun is moving behind the mountains to the west. Then, just as the top of the sun dips below the horizon the stillness is broken by a perceptible breeze that runs down from the peaks towards the water. The breeze is warm coming down from the peaks and the surface of the lake is once again stirred by the sunset sigh.

The image shows the moment just after the Sun has dipped below the horizon. The clouds are still illuminated but the lake itself is not illuminated. The currents being stirred by the sunset sigh pick up the magenta hues of the clouds while the water itself flashes turquoise in the dark that is fast approaching the lower elevations. Soon the magenta leaves the clouds, while a sullen dark green rushes over the water waiting to receive the light of the Moon.