Arenal Volcana

This cloud-shrouded mistress is Arenal Volcano, a real, live, active volcano in north-western Costa Rica... and I got to play at her feet! Allowed to follow the trails at her base that were less likely to take your life, we wandered for hours while she rumbled constantly, angrily cascading rocks in mini-avalanches down her sides like rain. At over 1650 meters tall, this sassy lass calls no man master... and yet one night she and I did dare to share a special moment. Not unlike the moment when Leonardo DiCaprio sat onboard the Titanic to draw a beautiful necklace only to find Kate Winslet beneath it, I waited in the dark, a volcanic voyeur, for the clouds to part. The crackling sound of rock-on-rock action told me she was awake and angry but remained hidden behind her translucent white nightgown. I remained optomistic that she would put on a show for me so I waited and eventually the clouds parted, the sky cleared entirely, and she wore only the light from the stars. A soft orange-red hue glowing at the peak like a halo and the constant rumbling of cascading rocks reminded me of what she was. I attempted a few pictures but she was too demure and it was very dark so after a pleasant time enjoying the warm Costa Rican night I packed up my camera and turned to go. It was then that she, just for me, belched as only a volcana can and I was privy to the bright orange splash of lava I'd waited for! I was ecstatic! She was perfect and she knew it. "Buenas noches, señorita," I whispered to her as I left, smiling. (Olympus C770UZ, 10mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 64)