The fires of creation.....

Being a photographer affords one a unique perspective of the world we live in, we train our eyes to see what most would pass up. In so doing we are treated to some incredible glimpses of the beauty and complexity of our planet and the incredible creativity of its creator. We see the immense power and energy that the planet wields through the winds the can be slow breezes or turn into pillars of destruction, or by watching the ever pounding surf which can turn from calm soothing waves to incredible surges of surf pounding into coastlines. Such events are incredible to watch and experience and yet incredibly difficult to capture in a photograph. A 2 dimensional representation can only take you far, but to be there and experience it yourself is something that is truly beyond words. having lived in central america i have witnessed 1st hand the immense power of a hurricane, the frightening beauty of lightning storms and the destructive power of surging rivers after heavy rains. Yet even with these unique perspectives in hand none of them prepared me for the spectacular display that i was about to witness. As we drew ever closer to the parking lot we could see the fiery red glow off in the distance, it was like a beacon of amazing things to come. My excitement grew in leaps and bounds as the glow grew bigger, the moon out we could see the volcanic plume of smoke that we had seen earlier. This time it took on a whole different dimension though, the moons blue light was an incredible contrast to the lavas crimson red, it just seemed to hug the edges of the plume giving it incredible depth. The 3/4 mile hike from the parking lot to the the viewpoint was even longer and more arduous in the dark but we finally made it. We were finally able to see the spectacle in full view, and a spectacle it was........my very breath was stolen away and a chill overtakes me. It was one of the most beautiful things that i had ever seen. The view is truly indescribable, the visible power that is there presenting itself in violent eruptions as two extremes meet one another. Some of the eruptions as the hot lava collided with the cold water were truly spectacular and at one point the explosions were truly amazing and so much energy had built up in the plume that there were lightning bolts in the cloud. To be there and witness it 1st hand has been one of the greatest highlights of my life, to see it and hear it. To witness a force so powerful and destructive that all man can do is get out of its way when it moves against him and yet simultaneously it creates, truly something incomprehensible. We were witnessing the birth of new land, much destroyed and yet in time renewed.........WOW!!! It was cool to hear some of the locals say that they had not seen it this active in a long time........yes i will admit that it made me feel very special to be there. Now if youre reading this and thinking that i am being overdramatic and trying to sound cool with the words i write let me say this. My image is something i care very little about, yes i may sound dramatic but that is truly what i experienced emotionally. Whether these feeling come about from being a photographer i dont know. All i know if that we live i an incredible world, filled with endless beauty and wonder. I have a deep love and respect for its beauty and complexity and the incredible diversity of life that is contained within our world that yes at times i have been brought to tears at the sight of incredible beauty. I think that what brings these emotions about is not just the love i have for our planet but for its incredible creator, whose immense creativity has surrounded us with such great beauty. I feel blessed beyond all measure to have been given a gift that allows me to enjoy and appreciate these things and to have the opportunity to attempt to capture them in a photograph.......truly our is an amazing God. I will admit that i rode home with a grin on my face as i reflected back on it. These photos can do little but show what was there and can never really represent the event, but enjoy them nonetheless.