Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Palette of Serenity

Nature is often busy painting her canvas well before the sun breaks the horizon. Mornings like this more than make up for the days of cold, drizzle, and strong winds during a fall canoe adventure. It was a surreal and humbling experience, gliding across reflective waters of glass beneath endless skies rich with color and texture. One area of this large bay would capture our attention, and as the light and clouds morphed, my husband and I each glided our canoes to photograph many other perspectives. At one point, I simply sat in stillness amidst this incredible palette of pastels on the lake, slowly scanning 360°, hoping to absorb the stunning beauty and sensing the vastness of the wilderness. It was a magical morning.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2016
Date Uploaded: 12.2016
Photo Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States of America
Copyright: © Dawn LaPointe