First Light on Towers of the Virgin, Zion National Park
Basin Mountain Eastern Sierra

On this early Fall morning, Basin Mountain was bathed with random golden light. 

Taken on 10/4/2010
First Light Mono Lake

I went to the Eastern side of the Sierra to capture the inclement weather coming through the area the day before. There were lightning strikes and a late afternoon thunderstorm. I woke up early the next morning to lightning in the distance and drove to Mono Lake parking lot. The clouds opened up slightly and I hoped that the sunrise would light up the underside of the clouds and bring some color to the water. The Tu fa's are random and not positioned to find an easy composition.  I settled on this location and waited while the seagulls and Osprey flew around as the sun rose from the East.
Early Light at Sand Harbor , Lake Tahoe

I was at Sand Harbor boat launch on April 1, 2012. I drove from South Shore Lake Tahoe early in the morning through an iced over road from the previous nights snow storm which left 2 feet of snow on the mountain peaks. The sun broke through with golden light on the low hanging clouds and created this scene back liting the trees and reflecting into the harbor.
First Light at Mesa Arch

Located in Canyonlands National Park. I was the first to arrive at 5:30 am, and by 7:00 am there were about 20 photographers and 30 more on lookers to witness an amazing sunrise at Mesa Arch. If you look closely past the arch and just below the sun beams, you will see three interesting rock formations,  Washboard Women and to her right is Monster Tower, and behind both of them is Airport Tower.

Canyonlands is the largest National Park in Utah, and its diversity staggers the imagination.  The easiest way to see the park is with a visit to the Island in the Sky district, only 32 miles (51.5 km) from Moab.  The Island in the Sky offers many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive.  Hiking trails and four-wheel-drive roads access back country areas for day or overnight trips.

The Island in the Sky sits atop a massive 1500 foot mesa, quite literally an Island in the Sky.  Twenty miles (32.2 km) of paved roads lead to many of the most spectacular views in Canyon Country.  From these lofty viewpoints visitors can often see over 100 miles (161 km) in any given direction, resulting in panoramic views that encompass thousands of square miles of canyon country.   Take a short day-hike or spend a relaxing late afternoon enjoying the sunset. Whether you have a few hours to spend or a few days, the Island in the Sky provides an unforgettable Canyon Country experience for the entire family.
Sea Stacks and the Setting Sun,  Rodeo Beach Marin Headlands
First Light on Towers of the Virgin, Zion National Park
First Light on Towers of the Virgin, Zion National Park
First Light on Towers of the Virgin, Zion National Park
See photo in original gallery.