Morning Gold at Wedge Pond

Yesterday I found myself wide awake at 04:30.  I contemplated enjoying a morning movie and cup of tea in the warmth and comfort of my bed but couldn't resist checking the sunrise predictor just in case.  There was nothing definitive in the prediction but the potential was enough to pique my interest, so I packed the gear and set out to Kananaskis. 

The Wedge Pond, beside highway 40, is a familiar location for me so it was an easy decision to pull into the parking area there and cut the engine.  With the wonderful silence of the morning returned, I stepped out into the frosty air and pulled on the hiking boots. 

It's a very short walk from the parking area to the pond but a three day winter storm had dumped plenty of snow over the weekend and night temperatures of -10 had firmed up the ground, hence the boots.  I was a little concerned that the storm might have seen off the last of the birch leaves but enough remained to make the shot work well.   

Much of the snow had melted and a soft mist rose from the perfectly calm water, the sunrise was indeed brief but the surrounding mountains still managed to bathe their tips in the golden light in the short time available.  I made a number of shots and walked the circumference of the pond making more as time moved on. 

Ultimately I chose to post this image because the vivid colours of the golden birch leaves reflected in the still waters of the pond, perfectly match the brief morning sunlight captured by the surrounding mountain peaks. It was a beautiful scene and one I would have missed had I opted for that morning movie and the comfort of a warm bed.