Zion National Park in Southwest Utah has a sundown tradition amongst photographers of all kinds. We gather on the bridge over the Virgin River in hopes of being there for one of those spectacular sunsets that can only be viewed here.
It doesn’t always happen. But the ritual continues. About two hours before sunset we start assembling. Talk to your fellow photographers and you’ll likely find people from around the world. Or, someone from your own back yard.
Soon the crowd builds and begins to spread out across the bridge, jockeying for the best locations. So we tend to bunch up around the premium spots.
We’re all intent on watching the light, hoping that this is the time we’ll all go home with a masterpiece. Conversation is casual. The subjects range from wondering if the clouds will pop, if the sun will duck underneath them and ignite the Watchman. Questions of where we are from and what we do are also common place.
Friends meet on the bridge and new friendships are made.
A pretty much constant stream of people arrive. Some see there isn’t any more space, give up and head for dinner. Others have their own unique solution to the crowding.
Some may disparage these ‘gatherings’ and lament the lost of the solitary experience and the communion with nature. Some may make snide remarks about creativity. Some may think it’s just plain silly. For me, I love to see strangers from all over the world, all walks of life, all races and backgrounds gather together at the end of the day to share in one of the wonders of our Mother Earth.
And you never know when you’ll get lucky and nail it.
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