REACHING FOR THE SUNRISE

After checking the morning forecast, which was to be misty and cool, I headed out to photograph the sunrise and wildflowers. Lately, we have been having cool misty mornings which these kind of sunrises can be very dramatic. I knew where in the park I wanted to photograph the sunrise and wildflowers, which is at the west end of the park. I reached the trailhead with camera gear and tripod in hand and it wasn't long, only about a quarter mile before I noticed the mist and wildflowers blanketing the landscape. I looked for some good composition among the wildflowers and misty landscape to set up the tripod and waited briefly when the morning colors of the sunrise began to fill the sky. The cool morning colors of pinks and purples gave way to warmer colors of oranges as the sun broke the horizon. I began photographing the wildflowers that consisted of blue vervain, false sunflowers, eastern daisy fleabane, cup plants (silphium perfoliatum), great angelica, teasel weed and giant ragweed. In the distance, mostly box elder trees line the banks of Eakin Creek West that separates the colorful sky with the beautiful wildflowers. Definitely a beautiful morning to be out enjoying these kinds of misty sunrises at Wildflower Park. (515-23)