Prairie Fire Sunset

Earlier this month, while checking the satellite image on one of those typically cold, mid-winter days, I noticed a promising clearing line forming out near the Mississippi River that appeared to be timing itself well to arrive just before sunset. Those conditions can work together to make for some spectacular sunsets, when the last rays of sun break under the clouds and create some great colors. Armed with that knowledge, I headed out into the country to see if I could manage a few photos if a nice sunset did occur. On this particular day, the clouds were a lot slower than the sunset, and the last rays of sun didn’t make it out until the absolute last minute, just before I was ready to pack it in an head home. But the sun did manage to peak through, and form one single shaft of colorful light, streaking the clouds with a pink color for around five minutes before disappearing for the day.