After spending some time enjoying the rising sun and foliage in North Quabbin, I drove through Shutesbury and down Sand Hill Road. Dean Brook runs alongside and, as you’ve seen before, over a little waterfall that I call Murphy Falls.
The brook is flowing heavily now after all the rain we’ve had so I had no intention of doing the waterfall as it would be a mass of white. But this little section of the brook above the falls seemed nice and then I noticed the sun peeking through the trees.
I usually don’t like hotspots in a water shot, but hard to avoid with the sun in this position. We’ve had a week with minimal rain so maybe the falls will be a little tamer this weekend.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
This counter of things finds 14 rays in the sunburst.
I agree that a hotspot can often be too much of a hotshot in a picture. I didn’t get that impression here, though.
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I don’t mind the hotspots in this image as much as in others. I’ve tried to figure out whether they are assets or not.
I tried several different positions to “clean” up the rays but decided I liked this one the better despite the large number.
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I noticed something interesting with this one. If I scrolled up enough to eliminate the sun itself and left only the rays, those same rays seemed to extend on down across the water, with the reflections of light on the stream seeming larger and more solid. The trees’ shadows amplified the effect — very nice.
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I think some of what you are seeing are thin twigs that line up with the sun’s rays. It is a nice effect. Thanks!
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You did a great job catching the sun just at the right moment as its brilliance was breaking through the woods at the nearby brook.
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I made quite a few exposures as the sun rose and moved between branches. This seemed the better of the bunch. Thanks, Peter.
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Beautiful image Steve! Enjoyed seeing it! Were you shooting @f/16 for the starburst?
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Thanks Reed. Yes, I was although I shot some at 22 as well.
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Nice, soothing forest scene, Steve. Hard to believe there’s little to no rain in the forecast, what a change of pace from what we’ve had since July. Glad the reservoirs and water table have been replenished, though.
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The last time I was by the Quabbin Spillway the water still was not spilling but maybe now it is. It’ll be nice to have some time for everything to dry out a bit. Thanks, Eliza!
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OK … what lens did you use for this? You didn’t get the double spokes like with the 16-35mm … curious!
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Yes, it was the 16-35. I have never figured out why I get double spokes sometimes and single at others. I’ve tried with and without the polarizer but that doesn’t seem the culprit. I focused just short of infinity but I don’t think that causes it either.
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The starburst really brings the image to life – feels as if I could just walk in there.
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That’s a nice comment to receive, Ann. Thanks!
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These sunburst photos can be really nice from time to time. And it’s fascinating how it creates the shadows from the trees on the water. And speaking of the water, I love how you’ve captured the flow in this one.
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It wasn’t at all planned and my first intent was the cascade. But then I got blinded by the light. 🙂 Thanks, Todd!
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