To be completely honest, I almost missed it.

I saw the cloud layer gathered during my post-work hike. I saw it getting better as I drove home.I saw it still present as I was driving to Sunset Ridge and my sunset alarm went off.

Yet as I was climbing the hill to get to the launch spot, my heart sank as it looked like the heavy cloud bank blocked the very bottom of the western horizon.
The eastern skies, typically a good tell-tell sign for what's coming in 5-10 minutes, we lead-blue, not the slightest hint of red/pink.
So, I was standing there on top of the hill and cursing the volatile weather. Checked the horizon in all directions. Nothing.
Cursed some more, and started slowly walking back.


As I got to about 1/3 from the top, my poor heart sank even deeper as I started noticing pink spots popping out all over.
Turned around, and started climbing again, huffing, and puffing, and cursing myself for not waiting a few more minutes on top.
Made it by the skin of my teeth. Was able to get in position just as it peaked.
Granted, could do that without so much pressure, but hey, I made it.

#1. Made it back on top of the hill and launched. First pano just to make sure I haven't lost the light.




#2. As soon as the pano started assembling, switched to Sport mode, and hauled ass to the Bard Lake dam, about 1.3 miles away, at 36 mph.
Made it just in time as the light started peaking.



#3. Again, while the #2 was processing, moved back and gained some altitude. The light was still good.



#4. OK, with the deed being done, flew back and took another one from the ridge, just in case.



#5. Most of the sky lost the light, but the was enough red on the horizon. Tele x7 to the rescue!



#6. And just to give you an idea of how it looked from the ground, here's an iPhone 12 Pro Max snapshot



Thank you for stopping by!

Do you have an active volcano? Love that #2!

Wow.
And good story too!

Loving number 2 and that reflection.  

What fiery skies.  Like the courrier services, you got there Just In Time   Great scenes.

Wow, absolutely spectacular sunset shots Darth.    

Sorry you had to scramble back up to the top but those shots were well worth the effort.  Also a good thing that the Mavic 3 has good speed and can get from location to location so quick.  

Depp Posted at 11-21 22:26
Do you have an active volcano? Love that #2!

Thank you!
Lol,  no, not that lucky

Montfrooij Posted at 11-21 23:45
Wow.
And good story too!

Thank you!
Yeah, it looks like I’m growing more impatient as I grow older…

DAFlys Posted at 11-22 00:01
Loving number 2 and that reflection.

Thank you!
That’s why I cherish over-the-water shots so much.
Unfortunately have to drive to get those.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-22 01:02
What fiery skies.  Like the courrier services, you got there Just In Time   Great scenes.

Thank you!
Yeah, barely and no tip

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-22 03:54
Wow, absolutely spectacular sunset shots Darth.   

Sorry you had to scramble back up to the top but those shots were well worth the effort.  Also a good thing that the Mavic 3 has good speed and can get from location to location so quick.

Thank you!
Yes, the 11/2 update does allow that now.

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 07:33
Thank you!
Yeah, barely and no tip

Here's a tip for you - get there a little sooner

Sorry

Blériot53 Posted at 11-22 07:39
Here's a tip for you - get there a little sooner

Sorry

LOL,
and don't go back until it's absolutely past the time.

amazing photos

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 07:31
Thank you!
Yeah, it looks like I’m growing more impatient as I grow older…

You're welcome.
I was hoping it would be the other way around.

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 08:13
LOL,
and don't go back until it's absolutely past the time.

Montfrooij Posted at 11-22 08:28
You're welcome.
I was hoping it would be the other way around.

yeah. weird, right?

niall_h Posted at 11-22 08:23
amazing photos

Thank you!

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 07:32
Thank you!
That’s why I cherish over-the-water shots so much.
Unfortunately have to drive to get those.

Lol.  The sacrifices we make for our art.

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 07:34
Thank you!
Yes, the 11/2 update does allow that now.

You're most welcome Darth.  

Sounds like the 11/2 FW update was very worthwhile.  

Looking forward to your next sunset shots.  

very nice shots, you are a professional .

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 08:59
yeah. weird, right?

Yes, still hope it works the other way around for me

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-22 11:22
You're most welcome Darth.  

Sounds like the 11/2 FW update was very worthwhile.  

I would still prefer to not waste time creating jpegs, but better, yes.

Mirek 22 Posted at 11-22 11:43
very nice shots, you are a professional .

Thank you!

DarthSLR Posted at 11-22 13:22
I would still prefer to not waste time creating jpegs, but better, yes.

Seems like that is something that they could tweak in the software to make it an option.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-23 04:03
Seems like that is something that they could tweak in the software to make it an option.

I have been asking for that since my mavic 2 pro time...

DarthSLR Posted at 11-23 07:10
I have been asking for that since my mavic 2 pro time...

In that case it seems like DJI has zero plans to implement it.  Sorry.