No Man’s Land

Aerial Sunset | Somewhere above Canada |
An abstract aerial sunset displaying the last moments of the day from high altitude. As the Earth falls asleep, the fleeting light is seen on the horizon as a bright band of yellow and pink color, sandwiched between the sky and the Earth. This is a very unique view with an unusual landscape down below and a striking display of atmospheric layers in contrasting colors.

Having flown for nearly 20 years I had seen more than one aerial sunset and sunrise. However, never before, or since have I seen one as unique as what you see here. Normally the transition between red and blue is more gradual. Not in this photograph though. Notice the abrupt boundary of color. How sharp the transition between pink and blue. I am not sure exactly why, but the plane must have been right between the troposphere and stratosphere layers, and this is the reason for the clear visual separation.

Locate the sun itself in this aerial sunset photograph. It is mostly hidden behind clouds, but one small strip of an opening reveals its position. Look slightly left off-center and you will see this thin, bright, yellow line shining through for one last time. Then observe the land below and its interesting patterns. Although they resemble a winter scene this is not snow, as the image was taken in the middle of summer. It was hard to tell the exact landscape features because of the low light and the long distance.

For me this aerial sunset will remain a form of a mystery fine art. First, I only know parts of what I am looking at, while others remain unknown. Second, although I know that this is southeastern Canada, I am not sure of the exact location. Regardless, on that summer evening God let me see and capture one of His masterful artworks, which cannot be observed from the ground. What marvelous beauty and splendor that was, for which I am grateful!