>>1253740I simulated the merging two different exposures here. The point is to give you a preview of what the photo would look like if you were to use a tripod, and take two different exposures. Basically, it would look like you took the photo with a gradient ND filter, but didn't. Of course, one thing you would have to watch out for by taking a photo during this time of day is that the sun will wash out some of the foreground. You could reduce that by closing up your aperture a little. Experiment.
Composition-wise, I would get more of the sky in on a more cloudy day and wait about 30 minutes later.