September 11 Sunrise

A day that ended more tragically than any in most Americans' memories began with some beauty. On my way to work on September 10, I noticed an unusual light as the rising sun broke through the mist in a park adjacent to the road I travel each day. On September 11, I took along a digital camera on the way to work, and when I passed the park, I witnessed the same effect. I drove into the park, walked out into the wet grass at about 6:50 a.m. to take some pictures. It was very quiet and peaceful, and I took pictures for about 20 minutes, until the memory card was full.

I previewed the photos when I got to the office, and was pleased with the results. After my wife called after 9:00 a.m. to alert me to turn on my radio, I forgot about the pictures for a few days. When I looked at them again, I was struck with the contradiction that so much quiet beauty and horrible terror could share such a short span of time and distance.

Photos taken 9/11/2001 at Lower Perkiomen Park, Audubon, Pennsylvania (Montgomery County). Click any of the 14 thumbnails (left column, below) to see enlarged image.