Whenever there is a gap between the horizon and a cloud filled sky, there is a possibility for a spectacular sky at dawn. Unfortunately, I got out of the house too late to get to water’s edge at the Quabbin, so I hustled up Mount Pollux…hustle is relative as there is a road almost to the top. This angle has a few houses that are in the lower right, so I had to frame them out which truncated the composition a little more than I wished and the shadows do a good job of concealing them.
The clouds were a little soft so the rays of color are not as defined as I had visualized, but still a nice scene over the Pelham Hills.
I really like the trees on Pollux. Unfortunately, many are dead and have either fallen in decay or the town has cut them. The vines, mostly poison ivy, give them a spooky look which I find enjoyable.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Very rich color. Kind of royal. I know why you look for those special cloud arrangements. I always check out the east window of a morning just in case the right conditions are there. It is a good way to start the day.
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Unfortunately, I have to look over the tops of our pine trees this time of year and too often the sky doesn’t reveal itself until too late which is why I couldn’t make the trek to the Quabbin this morning.
I am not sure if this is my final answer. The blue is the result of intentionally underexposing the sky to enhance the color and avoid the brightest area from blowing out. I may reprocess this at some point.
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Wow! That is a photograph. Stunning in so many aspects.
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Thanks, Yvonne. I think that possibly my processing has made it a little too stunning. 🙂
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It’s always dusk for this late sleeper.
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I wish I knew what sleeping late was like, Eb. Of course, that translates into wishing I knew what burning the midnight oil was like also.
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I empathize with you about finding a good exposure in a tricky situation like this one that risks blowing out the highlights. Did you take multiple pictures in quick succession at different exposures?
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Yes, I did, Steve. But so far my attempts at combining exposures has not produced anything useable.
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Observations, comments, and your own self-criticism notwithstanding … a very pleasing image indeed. Such a pleasing vista, combined with what I am seeing outside at the moment, tells me that this image has signaled the end of pleasant weather. Start the countdown to spring! D
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Thanks, David. I just think it needs a bit lighter hand in the processing. I am not sure if I will keep it here or do a repost. We’ll see.
If today is an indicator, I’d say you were correct. But the forecast does call for some improvement and all this rain is welcome in other respects.
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Nothing like darkness to conceal what you don’t want to see. That sharp silhouette is quite pleasing in the colourful sky.
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Darkness and fog can help a lot with unwanted elements. I was more interested in the tree than the sky until the color started building. I posted the same tree a while back on a foggy day.
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I enjoy that, too. Incidentally I thought I’d pin your photo to one of my boards (Special Finds) but the pin it button didn’t do anything. I suspect it has to do with my switching over to Firefox. My hope would be to direct more people to your work.
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That would certainly be nice and very appreciated were you able to do that, Melissa. Thanks.
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