This photo of Moraine Lake in Lake Louise, Alberta began with extreme disappointment. I woke up in the wee morning hours to get to the location before the crack of dawn. Somehow I managed to find parking and everything was set up perfectly for what I had hoped (as per the forecast) to be a glorious early morning light show extravaganza. Sadly, during the exact 30 minutes the sunrise should have lit the clouds as per the image I had built up in my mind, it was completely overcast.
Fortunately, I did not pack up my bags and scuttled away with my tail tucked between my legs. I waited, perhaps out of disappointment, to see if the conditions would shift so I could at least get a decent shot. Again, 30 minutes later this absolutely stunning shot presented itself. The clouds cleared up, the sun was kissing the rock, albeit without the gorgeous red and purple hues, and the wind stopped completely (and with it the ripples in the water). The reflection became crystal clear and this became one of my favorite shots of this popular destination.