Sometimes we get lucky

Sometimes we luck out when we choose a place for sunrise. It certainly isn't often enough to suit me, but once in awhile, the light and color develop where we are. I did the usual research for clouds and weather, NOAA, Clear Sky Chart, and channel 4. (Don't like bothering Stan or Steven. ) It looked promising for the view of Torreys Peak off of I-70, and even though I had to talk myself into getting out of bed at 4:45 (because it didn't feel like it might be worth it to lose sleep for the slim chance for a good sunrise), I did go. Well, it was a great sunrise. I'm glad I did go.
Once again, the gifts are there if we just try.

The trees were left dark to minimize the BK.

Comments and critiques always welcome and thank you for looking,

Morris

And a little later and zoomed a little closer.

Wow!!! Morris, I think these are fabulous! Compositionally, I'm drawn to the 2nd one, but colorwise, I prefer #1. Your choice to let the trees go dark is a good one. The processing is your usual top notch quality.

And sometimes, like in this instance, we make our own luck. Spectacular images, Morris!

Nice. What about cropping out the blue sky alltogether? That would minimize the distracting width of the trees. Like a superzoom of just the mountain from edge to edge and zero blue sky. You have good glow on that north ridge for a serious crop. Just a thought.

WOW! These are great!!!!

Morris, I'm glad you got up. Very nice images. I like the color in #1 best. Trying to avoid dead trees in images of that area is a real challenge. I think you handled it well.

Dang Morris...they are both great but that first shot is a killer!!! You would almost think it's a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Exquisite! Good job motivating yourself to get up there! Well worth it for sure!

Fantastic as they are!
I was thinking along the lines of Kane's cropping suggestion.

Wow Morris- Great color in # 1!

These are spectacular!! The silhouetted ridge works perfectly here.
You've been on a real roll for some time now.
Did you make some kinda deal down at the 'crossroads'?

Kane's suggestion has some real merit if you could make it work.

Very nice shot Morris. I agree and like the silhouetted ridge. I would like to see a crop per Kane's suggestion to compare.

I'm glad you made the early trek out there! What a great sunrise! The color is amazing

You make your own luck by being in the right place at the right time. These are stunning! Cropping the blue sky out would, indeed, give a totally different look.

Amazing! Love that color in the clouds.

Great shots Morris!

Doesn't get much better than this Morris. Well done.

These are great Morris. You had great light, and you really did a masterful job with the composition.

Luck my A$$! This is the reward for getting yourself up out of bed and out there to this location. All I can say is WOW! PRINT LARGE AND HANG ON WALL!!!

Wow, what a brilliant orange. I think it contrasts well with the blue sky above. And the light snow cover allows the relief of the mountain detail to show well. An eye-grabber!

Very nice one Morris - the color in #1 is simply out of the world.

Swwwweeeet!

Yep, you hit it big time. Nice work!

Sweet shots!! You know, the more we plan, and the harder we work, the luckier we get!!