In the dark, the rock at the head of the path is dappled with light and shadow. Put in another way, the light and shadow are distributed unevenly across its surface. You would not be able to predict, on the basis of a general understanding of what happens to an object in a dark environment where that object is illuminated from an angle, exactly which parts of the rock reflect light and which parts are in shadow. This confusing lighting situation is the result of multiple light sources and probably also the presence of one or more objects between these light sources and the rock which cast shadows onto its surface.

The Rock, July 24, 2010

Copyright © 2010 Paul D. Natkin, All Rights Reserved

A photo of the Sentinel and neighboring street from two days ago:

The Sentinel, Dec. 25, 2009

Copyright © 2009 Paul D. Natkin, All Rights Reserved

The play of light and shadow had an almost hypnotic effect.

The Sentinel in Shadow

Very often, when the rest of the park is in bright sunlight, the Sentinel is in shadow.