It was promising to be a great sunset. I had been attempting to take a trip south to Mona and photograph the lavender fields. The challenge, was that we were in the middle of COVID-19 and I had not been able to contact anyone at the lavender farms. I finally decided to just jump in the car and go scout out the situation. I talked my wife into going for a late Saturday afternoon drive.
The Mona experience was pretty much a bust. The visitor center was closed due to Covid and there were “no trespassing” signs all over. The signs that screamed the loudest were the ones that said “Permit required for photographers”. I guess photographs of the lavender fields would have to wait for another day.
While driving away, I noticed the position of the sun and suddenly it dawned on me. That the real subject of my shutter click was on the way home. Less than 15 minutes later we descended back into Utah Valley and there it was in all its majesty, rising above the farm fields, was the beautiful Payson Temple.
As we pulled off the exit and wisked towards the temple, the sun was dropping ever closer to the tips of the west mountains. Simultaneously, I grabbed my gear while I studied the sight before me. The challenge was finding the right composition in time for the perfect light.
The Payson Temple sits on a quiet neighborhood street on the east side. To the west is nothing but farm fields and pastures. It really is a beautiful setting. I met one other photographer in front of the temple, a super nice gentleman, whose experience was evident as we talked and clicked our shutters. We were the only two souls around. The temple was currently closed due to the pandemic.
The other great thing about the setting of the Payson temple is its westward backdrop. The ground slopes downward as well, opening up the view of the west mountains and behind them a brilliant sunset. What a beautiful calm summer night. The clouds and the sun cooperated as if part of a well tuned orchestra.
My fellow photographer took his pictures of the singing sunset and drove away. Many times the encore is often the best part of the performance, and this symphony was no different. My patience was rewarded as I waited…
The sun slowly sunk behind the mountains and bit by bit that beautiful blue hue expanded, consuming the clouds in front of it. Before long, the entire sky began to glow as if the entire orchestra perfectly hit their final note in unison, holding it until the conductor dropped his baton.
I found my self almost in tears as I could not believe the beauty I was getting to record on my camera. Once again heaven had smiled upon me and blessed me with a small glimpse of eternity.
