Another One of My Favorite Photos at Emerald Bay

Reflections at Emerald Bay

There’s something magical about chasing light, even when the weather refuses to cooperate. On this evening at Emerald Bay, I set out with my crystal ball, hoping to capture a calm reflection before night settled in. But nature had other plans. The clouds gathered quickly, the sky darkened, and a low rumble of thunder echoed across the water.

Most people might have packed up and left, but I’ve learned that some of the most powerful moments in photography happen when things don’t go as planned. The air was thick with the scent of rain and pine. A few drops began to fall, dotting the rocks around me as I steadied my tripod on the shoreline. I placed the crystal ball carefully, framing the storm through its perfect curve of glass.

As lightning flickered in the distance, the lake came alive — the waves rippled, the sky shifted between gray and gold, and through the lens ball, the world inverted itself. The reflection inside the sphere was surreal — storm clouds meeting calm water, nature’s drama contained in a drop of glass. It felt as though the crystal ball wasn’t just capturing the scene, but holding the energy of the moment itself.

There was a strange peace in that chaos. The thunder rolled softly now, and for a brief minute, the world felt suspended — wild, unpredictable, yet breathtakingly beautiful. It reminded me why I love outdoor photography: it’s never just about taking a picture; it’s about feeling the moment. The smell of the rain, the chill of the breeze, the sound of waves against stone — all of it becomes part of the story.

When I look back at this photo, I don’t just see a landscape. I remember standing there, drenched in awe, realizing that beauty doesn’t always need perfect light or calm skies. Sometimes it’s found in the storm itself — in the reflection of what we can’t control, and the courage to stand still long enough to capture it.