Driving around the backwaters of Lake Glenmaggie one mid-afternoon, I discovered this tree that stood out proud and strong. It was an obvious subject for a morning shoot, and on returning at sunrise was delighted to see that it was easily catching the morning light. The fog that lay thick across the water was an unexpected surprise. This added an air of mystery and texture to the environment.

I spent most of the morning composing and capturing images of this tree as the fog slowly lifted and the light grew stronger. For a period, it became a resting place for birds, and as the sun rose higher and the fog faded, it eventually lost its regal stance and became lost against the sunburnt hills and bright blue sky.

For a period, it became a resting place for birds, and as the sun rose higher and the fog faded, it slowly lost its regal stance and was lost against the sunburnt hills and bright blue sky.

This photo was captured early in the session while the fog was still fairly thick. I loved how the sun's rays highlighted the shape of its gnarly broken branches as it reached out of the haze towards the clear sky.