Shrine Pass Clearing Storm 151

Breaking storm pictures are always dramatic, but this one is very special. You will very rarely see Indian Paintbrush blooming so late in the season as to be caught by an early snow. At this location atop Shrine Pass near tree line, the Paintbrush are always done blooming by mid July when snow just doesn't fall. But due to an unusually deep snow pack from the proceeding winter, their race to bloom was delayed. Then on August 8 an impossibly early snowfall came suddenly. I raced to the location in the snowstorm and as soon as it stopped snowing I began photographing. It was like magic. The clouds swirled, the light danced, and the flowers rejoiced in the crisp air. I am so lucky as to have been able to capture this rare and brief moment. To demonstrate how special this image is, try for fun to erase it from your mind.