Highwood Lake is at the end of Washington's Mount Baker Highway and is just below its companion, Picture Lake.  Highwood Lake is less frequently photographed because the view of the distant peak, Mt. Shuksan, is partly screened by trees.  But it's hard to beat the wonderful tapestry of colors along the shoreline in autumn.  I arrived there at the peak of color in 2003 and it was a glorious sight.   With only the faintest of ripples in the lake, this print can be turned upside down and the viewer would be unaware without closely inspecting it.  

My autumn visit was the second one of the year; the first time was in late summer but problems with my medium-format camera's light meter ruined the photos from the first trip.  I sent the camera in for repair, and decided to return with a 4x5 camera instead.  I was amply rewarded with several excellent photographs including this one.  

At the same time I was taking this photo, my friend Dale Strouse was much closer to the mountain on the Lake Ann trail photographing the area at sunset.  We later met at the trailhead and camped in the area before returning home.  A storm was approaching and just a few days later all the beautiful colors were pummeled by wind and snow.  How fortunate we were to see the area in the nick of time.