Sled Dogs Resting Under Noon Aurora

Wet, dark fur glistens on the backs of eight sled dogs huddled together on a rain-slicked dirt track. Their harnesses, coated in fresh moisture, lie slack across their shoulders. Behind the team, heavy curtains of green aurora borealis stretch vertically across a pale, cloudless sky, defying the harsh, flat glare of the midday sun. The endless summer light washes the ground in a soft, washed-out tone, against the vivid, electric bands of light above. Rain has left puddles reflecting the pale sky and the glowing ribbons. The dogs stand still, heads lowered, their breath invisible in the damp air. one drop of water slides from the wet nose of the lead dog onto the packed earth.