On the early morning of October 1st, the Holy Mother Mountain in Zuoyun Batazi was still sinking in the dark silence. I had just finished shooting the starry sky, put away my long exposure camera, and then held my backpack to guard by the holy spring, with my gaze firmly locked on the three trees not far away. I have been contemplating this morning glow appointment in my heart for over three months, and I deeply understand that only in October will the sun rise precisely in the direction of one of the trees, allowing the morning glow to dance among the shadows. At this moment, the world is silent, with only the sound of spring water, waiting for the long-awaited feast of light and shadow.
The spring water of Shengquan converges into a clear and shallow lake, reflecting the faint light of the remaining stars on the surface of the lake. Three trees stand quietly by the lake, with sparse branches. For the past three months, I have repeatedly checked the star chart and calculated the trajectory of the sun, and have already figured out that only the tree on the westernmost side can accurately meet the morning sun in October. I had visited several times before, carefully examining each aircraft position, and finally decided to land at the edge of the Holy Spring - which not only incorporates trees, morning glow, and the reflection of the lake into the frame, but also balances the sharpness of the spring water with the heat of the morning glow, forming a composition that combines strength and softness.
The fatigue of shooting the starry sky gradually faded away with anticipation, and the wind in the mountains swept across my cheeks with autumn coolness. I wrapped myself tightly in my coat, but my fingertips were slightly warm with excitement. The eastern sky was the first to move, the ink slowly fading away, and a faint fish belly white appeared, like clear water blooming on rice paper. The reflection on the lake also became brighter, and the contours of the trees swayed gently in the water, adding a touch of hazy poetry. I quickly adjusted the camera parameters and focused on the divine tree, with the shutter ready to be pressed at any time.
Not long after, the white belly of the fish gradually turned orange red, like a newly ignited flame in a furnace, spreading slowly along the sky. In an instant, the orange red was dyed with a blazing crimson, and the rosy glow surged out like a raging fire, gathering towards the direction of the divine tree. The sun gradually rose and fell between the branches of the divine tree. The golden light penetrated the gaps in the leaves, outlining the outline of the tree even more clearly. At this moment, the morning glow seems to have come to life, dancing gracefully around the divine tree. Red, golden orange, and orange yellow intertwine layer by layer, coating the trunk with a dazzling golden border. The branches and leaves are filled with rosy glow, and the whole tree is like a divine object born from bathing in fire, shining brightly in the morning mist.
The lake has become the best backdrop, reflecting the morning glow and the Bathfire God Tree in their entirety. Amidst the shimmering waves, the rosy glow blends with the tree shadows, making it difficult to distinguish between real and virtual images. I held my breath and pressed the shutter button continuously. The "click" sound was particularly clear in the silent mountains, firmly capturing this fleeting scenery. A gentle breeze brushes over the lake, creating ripples. The rosy glow breaks and recombines in the water waves, like dancing flames, adding a touch of liveliness.
The brilliance of the morning glow lasted for nearly half an hour before gradually fading away the intense colors and the light became softer. I put down my camera and flipped through the images in the lens, each one showcasing the magnificence of the divine tree and the morning glow to the fullest. After more than three months of ideation and waiting, I finally found a fulfilling home on the morning of October 1st. This encounter not only allowed me to witness the wonder and magnificence of nature, but also taught me that all the ultimate landscapes require patience at the cost of waiting. When packing up the equipment, the sunshine had already spread throughout the mountains, the divine tree stood quietly in the morning light, and the lake surface had returned to calm. Only the emotions in my heart lingered for a long time