Golden Shower by Peter Coskun Nature Photography

Golden Shower by Peter Coskun Nature Photography

One of the highlights of my travels through the southwest this year came this past weekend as I finally visited perhaps the most impressive view of the grand canyon. After spending the previous night on the complete opposite side of the canyon close to where it begins, we ended up nearly towards the end of it. It is a long drive out here just from the highway, but from anywhere else it is definitely a chore to get to. I kept note of the stormy skies on the way in, not only for their beauty, but also for my personal safety. It would be very easy to get stuck out here during heavy rains. The light would filter through the vast landscape leading up to the canyons edge adding to the excitement of the possible chance to watch the storm roll over the Colorado from this very spot. We set up camp and decided to explore a bit along the edge of the canyon. You definitely need to watch your footing here as one mis-step would result in certain death. I noticed a wave of rain clouds on the opposite side of the canyon and chose this vantage (albeit a popular one) to sit and watch the show. Soon enough, a few flashes of lightning emerged and my excitement grew even more. The winds picking up almost tossing my gear and myself down into the deep canyon. Just at sunset, the storm had seemed to move further east, allowing for the rain shaft that had taken up the entire horizon to appear in it’s own column. The colors began to intensify on the horizon, and the slight sight of a rainbow against the rain curtain was all I could have hoped for…That is until the lighting sparked up for a few more exposures! It was almost far too good to be true, and to be in a place that I have dreamed of visiting and to get these conditions was absolutely incredible. The golden light in the rain shaft was short lived however, but I was glad to both witness and photograph it. The few of us out there returned to camp and sat around until the moon started to set. While still extremely exhausted, we awoke for sunrise, and were also treated to some more beautiful skies. A moment that I surely will not forget, and a place that begs for a return visit.

Peter Coskun Nature Photography: Photos