There are natural phenomena that are so astounding to experience that the event remains in the mind forever. Several years ago I experienced a total eclipse in Oregon and found it thrilling, so the opportunity to view an annular solar eclipse in New Mexico sounded wonderful. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun at a time in its elliptical orbit when it is more distant from Earth. This allows the sun to peek around the moon on all sides, creating a ring of fire. I captured the ring of fire in another picture, but I also loved the off-center look of the moon in front of the sun just before and after the ring of fire. The clockwork of the heavens is always astounding to experience.

LOCATION: Edgewood, New Mexico, USA

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.