Ten minutes later I'm at my location but alas, the sun is too low to make my trees glow - I'm an hour too late. We have to learn from our mistakes so if I'm lucky and the sun shines in the next week before the leaves have all dropped I will try again. Being extremely frustrated with myself I refused Knip Molen in WInter, Voorschten, Zuid Holland, The Netherlands to go home at this point. The clouds were now gathering and there is the distinct promise of something special. I wrack my brain for another location close enough to get to in time. This is were scouting local locations comes into it's own. Having already done the legwork I have a catalogue of places filed away in my mind just waiting for the right moment. Working out where the sun would be setting I headed for a location I photographed in winter last year when the canal was iced over.The sun would be setting to the left of the windmill at this time of year so would not be directly behind creating too difficult lighting conditions. Having parked the car I ran over the bridge to get to my spot along the cycle path (yes ran - those who know me know I don't run). The sky was already looking great as I put the camera on the tripod, mounted the filters, composed and started shooting. Beautiful. Let's just try that with the Lee Big Stopper. Oh yes! The decisive moment is here and the colour in the sky is simply glorious. At this point I am as giddy as my 7 year old twins after a box of Smarties. Cyclists coming by are calling "Heel moie!" as they go past, a couple stop and take a shot on their mobile phones. My frustration of earlier has disappeared. Had I not gone out for my first idea I would never have ended up here, witnessing this amazing sight. I had four decisive moments to get this shot: firstly the decision to go out; secondly the decision not to go home after being in a place at the wrong time; thirdly being able to pluck a different location from my list at the drop of a hat and last but certainly not least, opening the shutter when the light was at it's peak.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm @ mm, Lee 0.9 ND soft grad, Lee Big Stopper, f/11, secs, ISO 100 then delicately processed in LR4 - curves adjustment, brought up the exposure and shadows a smidge, sharpened lightly with masking, dust busting in PS CS5

Nikon D700, 24-70mm 2.8 @ 48mm, f/11, 241secs, ISO 100, tripod, Lee 0.9 ND soft grad, Lee Big Stopper

(Delicately processed in LR4 - curves adjustment, brought up the exposure and shadows a smidge, sharpened lightly with masking, dust busting in PS CS5)