Sunset and sunrise photography in Alaska during the summer is for people who don’t value sleep. With the sunset at 12:30am and the sunrise three hours later, it takes a lot of commitment to photograph the magic hour. Some of us have jobs, you know.
To complicate things, this year interior Alaska had the rainiest summer in 100 years. We had many days of oppressive gray clouds and relentless rain that made us think God forgot his promise to Noah.
In spite of this, or because of it, we had many evenings of towering, billowy clouds that led to sensational sunsets. I was lucky enough to photograph several of them, even though I was sleepy the next day.
Below are my top 10 sunsets of the summer in chronological order, with the time and date of the photo, which you might find interesting. After the photos, please vote in the poll to tell me which is your favorite. Comments and polls on my blog are some of the only human interaction I get.
My Top 10 Sunsets of the Alaskan Summer
1. June 23, 11:40 PM
Sunset on the Park Boundary
The lodge down below is where I live and work on the boundary of Denali National Park. Not bad, eh?
2. June 24, 12:24 AM
Dramatic Otto Lake Sunset
This photo was actually taken 20 miles north and about 45 minutes after #1. When the sun sets after midnight, the colorful skies can last seemingly forever.
3. July 8, 11:35 PM
Sunset with Pier
Taken from the same spot as #2. I blurred the clouds slightly with a neutral density filter. Otto Lake has the best sunsets in Denali due to the weather patterns and position on the north side of the mountains.
4. July 29, 10:37 PM
Pink Clouds over Otto Lake
As you can see, we have reached a point in the year where a person can see a sunset and get some decent sleep before work. Yet another awesome Otto Lake sunset, but the last one in this set – I promise.
5. August 21, 9:36 PM
Secret Lake
I call this place “Secret Lake” because I am seemingly the only one who knows about it, even though it is hiding in plain sight. Based on how pissed off the beavers get when I visit, I assume there aren’t many visitors. I am the only person who knows of Secret Lake, right? If not, meet me there tomorrow at 4pm. Bring snacks.
6. September 1, 7:52 PM
Dramatic Sunset at Glacier Bay
This photo of Bartlett Cove was the most dramatic of the summer. The photo is exposed correctly – the sky was black straight above, an eerie orange all around and clear blue on the horizon. There where also otters and sea gulls frolicking all around. Magic.
7. September 7, 8:59 PM
Autumn Sunset at Broad Pass
The keen reader will notice fall foliage in this and the subsequent photos and realize that my post title was misleading. When summer lasts two days, I count autumn as summer also.
8. September 8, 8:51 PM
Riley Creek Sunset
I made a poor choice on this sunset hunt. It may have been the most colorful of the year, but I went on a hike along Riley Creek and was down in a valley, too low to get great photos. But let me assure you that it was awesome. This is an example of a 1st World Problem.
9. September 11, 8:36 PM
Rainbow at Sunset
Every year I try to hike Meadow View Trail in Denali Park at the same time. As you can see by the photo, it is beautiful in the fall. This year, just as I turned to leave thinking I wouldn’t get a memorable photo, a rainbow appeared right at sunset. This wasn’t any rainbow though – due to the sun low on the horizon, it towered straight up to the place where Heaven ought to be. I was pretty much blown away by it. Then, a few hours later I saw this:
and I forgot about the rainbow altogether.
10. September 13, 8:39 PM
Sunset over the Nenana River
This post, and in a way my life, come full circle with this photo. This was the last day our lodge was open for the season and I took a hike up above after work. I was rewarded with yet another great sunset, and this is why I love Alaska.
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Thanks for sharing these and inviting us to provide you with feedback!
Thanks for voting. Which was your favorite?
Riley Creek. The sky mirrored in the water and rocks. Alignment yet contrast. 🙂
Thanks for the feedback.
Secret Lake and Dramatic Sunset at Glacier Bay
Thanks for voting and commenting!
kindly do read my article as well
http://roygrant69.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/versalift-is-probably-the-best-heavy-equipment-in-any-kind-of-business/
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! I can’t even pick a favorite one. I like them all. Great job 🙂
Thank you Lucy. You are too kind.
Great top 10! I voted for #7 but the are all stunning. Such a beautiful place to live and work!
Laura, thanks for voting. #7 is the winner on the poll so far, and truth be told, was probably the best one I saw. What the photo doesn’t have in it is Mt. Denali on the left rising 4 miles high. It didn’t fit into the frame. It was really special, oh, and then there was a moonrise over the colorful tundra minutes later. AK is awesome.
Love number 7, the light is fantastic. Good effort getting out at crazy times.
Thank you. It does take some dedication to get these shots mid-summer.
hello
A beautiful series, a good idea to vote and have the tendency !!!
I have my podium – 3/6/8
Good day, see you soon
Thank you Pat!
I voted for #7, but there is something about #3 that calls to me.
Wow, closed already. When does the lodge re-open?
Mid-May. We are only open 4 months. Nice, I know.
Thanks for voting. I like #3 – it is a classic summer shot, makes you want to jump off the end of the pier into the water. Except in AK that would be really cold!
The colors in two remind me of home…you are such a talented artist.
Thank you Jo, I appreciate it. When you say reminds me of home, do you mean Oklahoma? We do get some great sunsets there.
#7 is incredible!
Thank you! #7 seems to be the clear winner.
I’m running out of adjectives when I come to your blog. Stunning, superb, breath taking…
Ah, Sue, you are too kind. I am lucky to spend so much time in such spectacular place. Now, stop reading my blog and go ride your bike!!! I hope you are enjoying Tuscany.
Jeff we fly out in the morning. So until then I can Ooooo and Ahhhh over your fabulous photos. Did I get the spelling right? 🙂
Okay, good. I saw the headline of your most recent post and thought you were there already. I plan to read it later 🙂
I think you spelled it right.
I’m going for the ‘create anticipation’ aspect. Either that or I’m very excited. When do you leave on your trip?
I just read your post – that is a great itinerary and I’m jealous of the cycling part in Tuscany. That is on my life’s to do list.
We leave for Indonesia in 18 days. Can’t wait!
Wow I can not wait to hear and see your adventures! The more I see of Indonesia the more I think it looks like a place to go. Travel safely and most of all enjoy!
Wow! Fantastic photographs! I will however return to these pics on a bigger screen, with all lights switched off and then vote! :)really loved the idea of adding in a time stamp as the days roll on.. regards.
Thank you. As I started working on the post, the idea of the time stamp seemed like a good idea. Each day here is 6 minutes longer or shorter than the day before, so change happens fast.
7 is my favourite. The patterns in the water and sky are incredible. Apparently I’m not alone. Maybe I should change my vote.
Nope, can’t change, already voted.
simply beautiful 🙂
Thank you Joshi.
Breathtaking!
I think your list is perfect. These are surely amongst the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my life. They look so unreal. I loved each and every image and it is really tough to choose the best sunset from these pictures. My favorite one would be “Rainbow at Sunset”.
Thank you Greeta. The rainbow at sunset was one of my favorites to see in person. I was about to leave when it came out of nowhere.
All amazing sunsets, the one from Glacier Bay being my favourite! We also had amazing sunsets when visiting last Aug/Sept. I absolutely fell in love with the Alaskan sunsets! That late in the summer we didn’t have to stay up until 12:30am to catch the sunset:)
That Glacier Bay sunset was the most surreal. The sky was black, orange or blue, and almost no in between. Very ominous.
Where did you visit in Alaska?
Jeff,
I move to Alaksa next week and today I stumbled upon your photo and photo essays….
Thank you.
Ginny, We are actually going to be working together. I’ll be seeing you in the office soon 🙂