An intense summer monsoon over Albuquerque, New Mexico, turns the Chihuahuan Desert into a stunning light display.

This photo was taken from atop of the Sandia Mountains. A beautiful sunset was mingling with a powerful monsoon over Albuquerque, New Mexico. It did not take me long to figure out why they call this the “Land of Enchantment.” The beautiful cloud formations of the summer monsoon season, coupled with the sandy desert air, lead to some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. Not just colorful clouds, like the tropics, but rather scenes where the whole entire vista just explodes with color. I found that here at the Sandia peak was my favorite place to witness the splendor. The panoramic views of the mountains and desert are sure to reveal some stunning atmospheric phenomena somewhere.

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