Pleiades Through Clouds Above Leh Pass

Soft gray clouds drift across a deep indigo sky above a rugged mountain ridge. The Pleiades cluster shines brightly through thinning patches of cirrus, their pale blue stars piercing the mist. Below, colorful prayer flags in blue, white, red, green, and yellow stretch taut against the wind, their fabric worn and frayed at the edges. The flags flutter gently near the stone pass, framing the celestial view. Earthy tones of dry grass and gray rock occupy the foreground, against the cool light of the evening. A thin layer of moisture hangs in the air, catching the last glow of the afternoon sun. The stars align perfectly above the highest flag, creating a vertical line from the ground to the heavens. One frayed thread on the blue flag hangs loose against the darkening sky.