Spray Park Tarn, Mount Rainier National Park

This tarn at Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park is the same one in which Mount Rainier itself cast a clear reflection at sunset, as seen here. On visiting Spray Park a little over a week ago with Mike Hornblade, we found ourselves in heavy fog and cloud much of the time. Occaisionally the fog would lift and reveal something that previously couldn't be seen, as it did in this case. Looking across the tarn to the north the peak of Mount Pleasant in the distant emerged along with its reflection in the still waters of the tarn.

In processing this image I tried to bring up the levels of the rocky shore and distant wildflowers without blowing out the sky where the clouds thinned over Mount Pleasant. There was quite a broad exposure range to bring out, but I'm satisfied that it looks the way I remember it. Not amount of digital adjustment could convincing remove the deep blue cast of the scene in the deep shadow of the clouds overhead, nor would it look right if I had. It is somewhat unfortunate however that I haven't also been up to this location under warmer light, as there was still quite an abundance of wildflowers at the time - their great colors are somewhat lost under this light.

Nikon D90 | Nikon 18-200VR@18mm | f/11 | 1/25s | ISO200 | Tripod

See more related images in my Mount Rainier National Park Gallery.

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