Golden rays illuminate the golden Larches on the shores of Italy’s Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies, or Pragser Wildsee in German, is known as the “Emerald of the Dolomites.” The water is a beautiful shade of green, fed by silty mountain snowmelt. However, on this day, green was not the color on most prominent display. We went to the Dolomites in early October to see the European Larches turn their autumn gold. Some areas were further along the journey to fall color than others, but Lago de Braies was nearly perfect. On this otherwise overcast day, the morning sun decided to compete with the trees, and send some beautiful golden rays peaking through the clouds. In fact, I take that back… it seemed more like exquisite cooperation than competition!

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