Solstice Sunrise over Morris Reserve

The Story:      I’m a frequent visitor of Morris Reserve near Bellbrook, Ohio where five native peoples had once called home. During the 2023 Winter Solstice, a host of cloud layers filled the sky during sunrise As the sky transitioned from Blue Hour to Golden Hour, the below-the-horizon sun illuminated the varying cloud layers in wild warm colors. This elevated composition features one of the park’s trails that leads the eye through the tallgrass prairie towards the Little Miami River.

The Rest of the Story:  When I share that I’m a frequent visitor, I mean I was there the previous morning, three mornings before, and again three more mornings before that.  Unlike sunset, where I can see the varying cloud layers and a colorful scene developing an hour earlier, for sunrise, it’s an unforgiving short flash to bang.  I live on the hill captured on the distant horizon.  With this Ohio prairie residing a couple of thousand feet from my home, this spot is close enough to save the day.

On this morning, I saw a tinged of purple in the dark morning sky which set me into motion.  I grab a coat and my already packed camera bag, and launch for Morris Reserve.  As I park my truck, I’m already grabbing my 30 lbs of gear so I can run through the park to a favored position.   Once in the spot, I connect my camera to my phone, hoist it 12′ in the air, correct for the plumb, set the exposure sequence, and stop the swaying of the heavy camera body and lens, which weighs twice as much as the pole, before I finally capture this scene.  In the subsequent shots a few moments later, I note the color is already beginning to fade.

I present other compositions from this park throughout the day and seasons, through my website at Morris Reserve Art Prints.   If you are seeking other peaceful prairie compositions, check out my Prairie Paths Art Prints.

Sublocation:   Morris Reserve

City, State:      Bellbrook, Ohio

Year:                2023