Thursday, March 11, 2010

Fog

A few weeks ago Las Vegas had some rare fog in the early morning hours just before the sun was rising. In almost twenty years that I’ve been living in this city I experienced fog only once before. Fog does not usually occur in an arid desert climate.



But we had an unusual wet winter so far. Add the high desert elevation into this equation and the result can be an extraordinary weather phenomenon. A fog may not spark much of an enthusiastic thrill in other parts of the country, as it may be rather common there. Here in the Southern Nevadan desert however, a few drops of rain or even a snowflake are just as sensational as the latest UFO sightings over Area 51, located just outside the City of Sin.

I merely enjoyed the very sight of fog for the simple reason that I’m not accustomed to it anymore. It’s like a treat to be savored and appreciated. A visual feast. I always found it fascinating how fog can transform one’s own familiar neighborhood into some mysterious, almost otherworldly place. Like a veil covering everything with a haunting but beautiful glow. Especially in the few precious moments before the sun comes up.




And with the first rays of sun peeking from behind the distant mountain ranges to the east, the fog slowly started to dissolve into nothingness. The higher the sun rose, the quicker the fog disappeared. The only evidence it left behind were the dew drops clinging on to every leaf or the patio furniture in our backyard. Eventually, those drops too would roll off, fall to the ground and being absorbed or just evaporate.

Moments like these makes me ponder about a lot of things. It makes me appreciate life a little more. Just like fog in the desert, life can be here one moment and gone the next.

Live life to the fullest. And enjoy the beauty around you. As trivial it may look at first.

A camera can never capture the true beauty and the colors of an occurrence like fog. Nevertheless, I wanted to freeze that moment in time.



After the fog has lifted, the westerly mountains unveiled their snow powdered peaks, illuminated by the first morning sun light.

4 comments:

Doug Taron said...

Lovely words and pictures. The visitor center at Anza Borrego Desert Park in California mentions how rare ground fog is in the desert. They include a couple of photos. Since reading that I have always wanted to witness the phenomenon. Hasn't happened yet.

r. said...

For I curse the sun. JK! :-)

There's this one old Chinese song from the 70's, called The Drifter's Song... In the end, he sings that What's yours is yours, and what's not will never be... And that one's fame and fortune can dissipate one day like the fog, and doing good deeds is what makes life so sweet...

Your entry reminded me of all that. :-)

Homer said...

Those pictures are very pretty.

Jeff said...

Love the pics too! We don't get a lot of fog here either, but more than you for sure. I'm like you and enjoy the mysterious qualities it imparts on familiar surroundings.