The Sapphire Funhouse

Hello everyone-
This is an image I created while leading a photo tour to the Cordova area, in Alaska this past week. We had an excellent time (despite a few drizzly days) and everyone got a lot of great photos.
This is inside the Sheridan Glacier. NOTE: glaciers (and especially glacial caves) are very dangerous locations. I recommend traveling on one with an experienced guide.
We had just approached the glacier's terminus and started walking along the flat areas near the meltwater lake, and I happened to glance down a shallow ramp to what looked to be an opening in the ice. Once I reached the bottom of the ramp, I realized that not 1 but 2 caves ran in opposite directions from the pit. The one to the right was not as tall but was very dark and looked ominous - I never did explore that one. The one to the left was fairly bright, there was "only" 6+ feet of ice for a ceiling. And the ice was absolutely clear except for random black rock fragments and a crust of rotten (pitted and opaque) ice on the top of the glacier. I scouted the cave out before bringing my tripod and 5D mk 2 in, making sure the footing was adequate (it was sold, if a little slick in places) and that there was no evidence of recent ice falls or hidden crevasses. I warned my clients of the inherent danger of entering a glacial cave, and "laid down the law". 1 person in at a time. 1 person just outside the entrance at all times. 5 minutes or less per trip in. Any sign of imminent collapse, fall or otherwise and I pull the plug - 5 minutes ago. Everyone agreed and we went for it. Each of us made at least 2 trips in, I went a 3rd but didn't feel comfortable staying in for more than 3-4 minutes at a time. You just never know...
Canon 5D mk 2 on a tripod
24-105 @ 24mm
1/3" @ f16
ISO 400
2" timer used with LiveView for composing low to the ground. I had a polarizer on at the time I entered but always turned it so it had no effect, I liked the sections of mirrored surface, the polarizer made the image appear to 1 dimensional. Plus the added gloss on the ice was something I wanted to capture.
Comments and critiques always welcome. I hope you enjoy it, I know it was one of those "moments" I will always remember - joining those memories of being 18" and face to face with an 800 pound brown bear on the Katmai Coast, having a mom and 2 twin baby moose walk past me just 50 feet away in the soft light of twilight (also from this Cordova trip!), and a few of the sunset/rises I've been privileged to witness and photography here in Alaska.
ps - the 2011 Cordova tour logistics are being finalized right now. If you are interested in joining us... NOW would be a good time to shoot me an email and let me know that you are interested
Lots more images from the tour on the website - and more to come.
http://sixtyonenorth.com/wp/