September Sunrises

Fall is my favorite time to go out and 'try' to catch spectacular sunrises.
In our area of hills and valleys we have fogs, mists, and very interesting skies this time of year.
So I always find myself plotting where I will go and see the sunrise to the best advantage.
Sometimes I get snookered like I did at Jersey Valley when dense fog moved in and obscured the lake.



So I thought I'd try and work around the dense fog by travelling to a high point above the Kickapoo River Valley to look down on the fog.

I waited in the cold for the sun to come up in the pre dawn light.
I found it curious that it appeared to be frost on the soybeans when it was 41 degrees, according to my car's thermometer.

I could see the fog intensifying as the sun rose.

Sometimes...getting 'the shot' requires a bit of creativity.

I probably would have gotten great cell coverage had I needed it.

And the road?  It wasn't exactly the nicest one, but it got me up and down the ridge.

And back into the fog.

But all the effort in the end was worth it...

That is, until I stayed home this morning and was enchanted with this....

So I am guessing sometimes it is just as good to stay home!
No fog this AM, but the clouds presented the sky with brilliants hues and reflections.

Dense Fog Advisories in the River Valleys!

Jersey Valley County Park, Westby WI.

As the sun began to rise the fog deepened until the whole valley disappeared.

But not without giving me a glimpse of the beautiful colors of the trees first!

I think I'm going to try and go up a certain back road to the top of the ridge overlooking the Kickapoo River Valley to look down on the fog this morning.

Certainly it will be a different perspective ... not being in it!

Beautiful Morning

I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed up towards the ridge top before dawn.

I wanted to sit and watch the sun come up in all of its red glory.
It did not disappoint me.
The leaves have blown off on most of the trees on the ridge.

I stood and watched from the corner where the ancient tobacco shed used to stand.
There was a haze like a faint fog that graced the horizon.
The colors kept changing, the clouds added an interest to the sky.
My one ridge neighbor brought his son out to the cross roads to meet the bus.
I reflected on what it may be like in the dead of winter...and then let that thought pass.
This morning was warm ~ like an Indian Summer.
I thought.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
The pastel colors after sunrise tied it all together for me as a photographer.

When I at last went back home ~~
My husband said to me...
*Well was it worth it?*

I sighed and nodded.
Of course it was.
Dawn and sunset are the most beautiful times of the day.
No matter what season it is.

I felt complete.
I felt whole.
I felt happy.

All because I was able to stand and watch the sun begin my day.