On a crisp morning in March 2026, I travelled once again to the Broekmolen in Streefkerk, located in the heart of the Alblasserwaard. The weather forecast had looked promising the night before: a chance of clouds at sunrise. Those are exactly the moments every landscape photographer hopes for. I arrived an hour before sunrise, ready to greet the day. But instead of the dramatic skies I had imagined, the sky was completely clear. Many people love a blue sky, but for me, a cloudless morning often feels a little empty when photographing landscapes.
Heading Towards the hikers’ path
Because I know this place well, I walked straight towards the hikers’ path. I already had a specific composition in mind that I wanted to capture. To my surprise, I wasn’t the only early bird. Several photographers were already set up along the path. Fortunately, my favourite spot was still free — just as I had hoped.
A Touch of Cloud at the Perfect Moment
Although the sky remained clear, I slowly noticed a small patch of cloud forming in the distance. It wasn’t much, but sometimes that single detail is enough. Exactly at sunrise, the little cloud drifted into the perfect position. The sky burst into colour, even as the rest of it stayed a deep blue. As if that wasn’t magical enough, a layer of soft morning mist rose across the landscape, giving the Broekmolen in Streefkerk a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Everything aligned for just a few perfect minutes.
A Quiet, Shared Stillness Among Photographers
Even with several photographers around, the mood was calm and pleasant. Every now and then we exchanged a few words, but silence suited the moment far better. It was the kind of morning that fills you with energy — peaceful, inspiring, and deeply satisfying.
Your Own Piece of the Broekmolen
This photograph is available as a high‑quality print through Art Heroes. It’s a beautiful way to bring the tranquillity and atmosphere of this special morning into your home.
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View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Famous windmills’.