Mid-December Sunrise at Morris Reserve No. 1

The Story:    An amazing sunrise from Morris Reserve, in Greene County, Ohio.  The Little Miami River flows left to right at the bottom of the hills, while rising terrain on the right kept wildlife in the flat land.  According to artifacts and bones found in the mid-ground scene, this area served as a Native American pinch point for hunting. Today, Morris Reserve holds many pleasing prairie paths that meander around the park forming interesting compositions. The Rest of the Story:   As shared in previous prints, I live at the top of the ridge captured in this scene.   Early morning sunrises can be tough to catch.  For me, although I live a few thousand feet away, by the time the dawn light reveals an overhead cloud deck with a break of clear air on the horizon, I really have to be ready to move.  My camera bag is always packed, so I grab my bag and launch into the morning twilight.   Getting the shot isn’t about driving to the park, but finding my vantage point along the trail that aligns with the rising sun.   At this time of the year, the dormant Indian Grass is taller than I am, so the grass tops appear above the horizon.  Seeking a cleaner perspective, I hoist my camera and heavy lens on a paint pole giving me a pleasing image.   After shooting several compositions, I realize that peak color has passed and the brilliant colors begin to fade.  Once at home, I find the set the depicts the scene as I remember it and realize, it will become of one my signature images of 2023. If you’d like to see more of this park, check out my Morris Reserve Art Prints or Morris Reserve Wildflowers.  If you like the composition, I have more Ohio Prairie Pathways here. Sublocation:   Morris Reserve City, State:      Bellbrook, Ohio Year:                2023   Image Legacy: 2025  A 20″ x 30″ framed giclee canvas print was donated to the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Area Chamber of Commerce for proceeds that goes to its annual scholarship fund This room visualization depicts my original photography as displayed in an AI-generated room. The art print features Morris Reserve, near Bellbrook Ohio, during a colorful winter sunrise as a trail leads the eye towards the woodline. This room visualization was generated through FreePick with their permission and license, while I retain the copyright of the displayed art print.