Reflected Glory
In landscape photography (or indeed just the enjoyment of nature without the aid of a camera) water adds a special element to any scene. In early morning when the air is still, a pond or river can be a perfect mirror, doubling the beauty. When wind disrupts the water's surface, the reflected light is mixed to produce a new impression of colors and shapes.
On a memorable hike from Lake Josephine to Grinnell Lake in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, my first thrill was the sight of the rising sun turning Mount Gould into gold. When I reached Grinnell Lake, storm clouds approaching from the west provided a dramatic backdrop to the bucolic scene.
Hiking to Fishercap Lake in the pre-dawn dark and just standing by the water, listening to birds and waiting for the sunrise, was a memorable experience.
Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park is aptly named.
Mount Moran reflected in an oxbow of the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. The first image was a long exposure taken before sunrise, and the second was taken from the same location after the rising sun cast its red glow on Mount Moran.
Grand Teton Mountains reflected in Beaver Pond. Two successive images show the changing quality of light as the sun clears the horizon.
