Sunset stretches across the Beardslee Islands at low tide, casting warm light over the rocky shorelines, tidal flats, and scattered evergreen trees. In the long summer days of Alaska, when daylight can last for nearly 20 hours, sunsets unfold slowly, lingering on the horizon for hours and creating extended periods of soft, shifting light. The colors of these sunsets—ranging from deep oranges and fiery reds to gentle pinks and purples—result from the scattering of sunlight by the atmosphere. As the Sun dips closer to the horizon, its rays pass through more air, which filters out shorter blue wavelengths and allows longer red and orange wavelengths to dominate the sky. Tiny particles in the air, including dust, pollen, or even distant wildfire smoke, can intensify or subtly shift these colors, making each sunset a unique display. In the Beardslee Islands, the interplay of light, water, and landscape creates a spectacular and ever-changing scene, capturing the tranquil beauty and vast scale of Glacier Bay’s wilderness. Photographer: Sean Neilson