It’s hard to believe I captured these stunning photos on a morning in March! Really, it was March 10, 2017 when I raced to capture the sun breaking through heavy clouds after a snow and ice storm the night before.

When I saw the snow that morning, just an inch or two carefully blanketing each branch and twig in the tree outside my window I knew what my destiny would be if the snow stopped and the sun came out. It did, and I headed for the Panhandle Trail, on foot just planning about an hour of photos in the first half mile of the trail. Mission accomplished.

As I drove there, looking at the sun and shadow play across the frosted hills and glow down into valleys I had an idea for two photos I wanted to capture. Above is one of them, the light illuminating the trees in front of the dramatically dark background and sky, the trail wandering off around a curve into an adventure.

I usually try not to plan ahead for photos because it’s possible to miss others while focusing on a goal that may not even be possible. But “Frosted”, above, was one of the ones I really hoped for—a hillside of frosted trees with enough dark clouds to set them off. I debated converting this to a crisp black and white image, and still do, but I also love the minimal color of a winter landscape.

I was lucky this particular morning and not only captured the ones I wanted, but many, many more I would never have imagined. Below, one of my favorite spaces along the trail, and one I’ve photographed and painted many times, seen in literally a new light, “The Ice Palace”.

The heavy clouds began to break apart and I thought it would all be over as the snow and ice quickly began to melt in the sunlight, but I was wrong about that! The brilliant blue sky as a backdrop to the frosted trees along with big puffy clouds made a fantasy combination of conditions.

One by one images have become popular, and I’ve set up a gallery just for the full set of images. Visit Dramatic Light and look at all 39 photos. And if you are like me and still love winter, keep a memory of one of those stunning days.

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