Before sunrise ... Jerry Mercier

Standing in Grand Teton National Park on a cold November morning before sunrise, everything was coming together nicely. The lake was calm, clouds hung low over the Teton Range, and I could see sunlight high on the clouds above. I was holding out hope that the sun would get high enough to light the scene across the lake before any wind stirred the calm water.

This was the view when I got there. 

The summit of Mount Moran peeking out above the clouds.

As I waited, I quietly sang "Here Comes the Sun" over and over. Hoping it would listen.

 Clouds blanketed the mountains in front of me.

A bit of a breeze picked up and ripples ran across the lake.

That wasn't what I was looking for. I needed the wind to hold off and the sun to hurry up.

With just a little luck I could end up with beautiful colors and reflections.

Well. The song didn't work and the sun never made it and the wind picked up and blew any potential reflections away. 

So plan A was out. But plan B was looking pretty good. After awhile Grand Teton appeared above the clouds bathed in sunlight. 

I quickly made a few images as the mountain was visible. I'm lucky I hurried. After just a moment or two it was again enveloped by cloud.

Time to leave and look for calmer water.

I didn't have any luck since the wind just kept on blowing, but was able to make this image a little later. 

I've spent way more time waiting for sunrises with colors and reflections that never came than photographing the ones that did. However, every morning I've waited has been time well spent regardless of the images I've captured.