This composite image was shot in Big Summit Prairie, Oregon during the Great American Eclipse of 2017.

This moment awoke something primitive in me, which was confirmed by the howling of 30,000 other humans gathered with me under this cosmic drama unfolding in front of our eyes.

An electrifying current charged through my body as I thoughtfully and patiently captured this solar showstopper. Just after nailing the diamond ring phenomenon and experiencing 2 hypnotizing minutes of my first total solar eclipse, I burst into tears and hugged my best friend nearby who was also full of emotion.

The bottom half of the image is a long exposure from the Solar Temple, a wooden structure that attracted indigenous elders from around the world in an unprecedented ceremonial collaboration.