This series came in a magical moment as we sleepily departed on a predawn flight from Portland, OR. When I realized that the sun was just cresting the horizon I fumbled through my disshelved bags to find my cellphone and grab a few hasty pics.

When we rose above Portland, the Hood River with Mt. Hood in the distance we passed through the clouds and now the intense light appeared to be below the clouds giving the awe-inspiring appearance of lava rolling across the sky.