On a beautiful fall day after Thanksgiving I was tracing my steps in the woods where I had been dozens of times before. Looking for something new to focus on, I noticed how low the sun was already getting and how it would flicker through the trees. It was a ripe opportunity to try out some sun-starring. 

I don't usually like making sun starts the subject of a photo or give it this much prominence but loved the way the sun and glow of the leaves came together. Not thrilled with the composition of the first one but it began giving me some other ideas.

Dropping lower, I found I could capture more of what I was feeling with stronger foreground elements and a wider composition including two framing trees. I was also able to get a clearer sun star here with the help of a little deflection from trees in the distance. I made some editing choices to bring out the shadows in the tree and rocks and drop some of the sides down, but wanted to avoid an HDR feel. The multitude of sticks distract me but I like the composition better on this one. Improving one day at a time.