There have been a lot of spectacular photos shared this fall of incredible Autumn colors and with good reason. It has been one of the most spectacular displays in many years. And it came right after the Fall equinox during some very nice days. My wife and I planned a week long trip to the North Shore last winter and couldn’t have asked for much nicer conditions with warm, sunny days and cool nights for sleeping for the first portion of the week. We’ve visited Northern Minnesota on several occasions during this same time in September and have never experienced the explosion of reds, yellows, and oranges as we did this year which made this trip even more memorable. I tend to wake up earlier than my wife so in an effort to keep from disturbing her I would head out with the camera and watch the morning light enter the horizon over Lake Superior. During these mornings I often encountered others wanting to grab a sun rise shot of Split Rock Lighthouse. We would exchange words and from time to time short conversations as they meandered up and down the shore looking for different angles. I set up my camera in one location on a tripod and just watched as night turned into morning taking a few photos as this light changed.

From time to time I would get up and photograph a different view always returning to my original spot until I felt it was safe to return and join my wife to begin the day. Early morning can be such a peaceful time as the air is quite with little wind. The nighttime creatures have returned to their daytime hiding places while the daytime animals haven’t started moving much yet. Many people are still sleeping or just beginning to wake up. Eventually the sounds of birds begin to enter the quite landscape with light increasing all around you. As the sun finally reaches above the horizon, its rays begin to reach you allowing the warm light to penetrate through to your bones beating back the chill that has been slowly creeping in since you got out of bed. The world around you begins to wake up now as the squirrels forage for a morning meal and the birds take flight while people begin their days as well. It is at this time I return to join my partner so we can spend the day exploring together.

As daylight became brighter we could see the colors of fall and how much they changed from the morning before. There were so many beautiful scenes to take in and the day was just beginning. Even the animals seemed to take a little time to see the splendor surrounding them as they prepared for what is still to come.