The Sunrise

Sunrise in the mountains is an incredible experience. It begins on the eastern horizon with a soft glow. The stars begin to fade and low in the sky, the edges of the clouds begin to turn a dark red. There is movement to the light and to the clouds. The light and shadows play with each other creating an unmatchable palate of colors. The reds begin to march across the sky as if heeding Horace Greeley's words, "Go West young man, go west." Soon the red fades to orange and yellow as the suns glorious rays begin to illuminate the highest places and chase the shadows down the mountains. Even on a frigid, sub-zero morning like this, there is warmth in her rays and it soaks right down into your soul and gives birth to the optimism of a new day. Yes indeed, if you have not encountered the mountains at sunrise, go find a mountain and watch the grand spectacle that is the sunrise.

Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-300mm, ISO 400, f/13, 1/100sec, 100mm, Vanguard Alta Pro tripod