This is a merge of three vertical shots taken during a memorable sunset in La Veta. Surprisingly, the entire shot is about the framesize of a D2x - about 12.5 megapixels.

Many versions of the Firebird tale exist in Russian folklore. The Firebird (Zshar-ptitsa) is a miraculous bird, kept in a cage in the garden of Khoschei the Deathless. Its feathers flash in silver and gold and just one could light up a dark room; its eyes are as jewels and pearls fall from its beak as it sings. At midnight it flies to gardens and eats the fruit from the orchards.

One of these is the garden of the Tsar, whose golden apples (which confer immortality) are stolen every night. Setting his three sons in turn (or in one version, his son and daughter) to watch the garden, all fall asleep except Ivan, who keeps awake by rubbing dew in his eyes. He sees the Firebird stealing an apple, snatches at it and manages to pluck a feather from its tail. The Tsar sends him on a quest to bring back this wonderful bird.

In one version the Firebird finds Ivan and grants a boon in exchange for the feather; Ivan chooses a princess.

After many adventures and with the help of a magical wolf, the young prince is variously caught and released after agreeing to undertake subsequent quests: for a magical horse, for a princess (Yelena, a Tsar's daughter in some, Vasilisa, whose heart was changed to wood, in others). In one version, Ivan is sent to the hut of the evil witch, Baba Yaga, to find the Firebird which had already been stolen from Koschei the Deathless.

Eventually he conquers all and returns home. But in one version, his evil brothers fall on him in his sleep and cut off his head. The magical Gray Wolf sends ravens for waters of Life and Death; with water of Death he reattaches the head and with the other he revives Ivan.

In another, his evil sister Katyushka poisons him but the Firebird flies to the fountain of life and returns to revive him.

In the end, he settles down with his princess and Lives Happily Ever After.