The Lenticular Crown of Shasta
The Lenticular Crown of Shasta brings together four fine art photographs created during a rare lenticular cloud event over Mount Shasta on March 11, 2026. Photographed from multiple locations around the mountain, the collection explores atmosphere, stillness, reflection, and the volcanic presence of one of Northern California’s most iconic peaks.
Mount Shasta is a four hour drive north of my home in Elk Grove, CA. The weather was perfect, so my son and I decided to go since I hadn't been there in many years, to capture its almost perfect geological beauty. Mount Shasta is a volcano that hasn't erupted for 800 years, and the locals are nervous because it's due right now. We got there mid-day and we could see a lenticular cloud forming above it. I said to my son, "This is going to be a very rare and special day." We knew the cloud formation could leave at any time, so we planned to get photos from several angles as long as it lasted. We were so fortunate that the cloud didn't break up until just after the blue hour after sunset. I hope you enjoy these rare images, all captured with my Hasselblad X1D medium format camera.
-Bob Keller