Blue Smoke, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The essence of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park surely must be the fog and blue smoke that hangs over the Sugarloaf Mountains. This mountain range is typically immersed in blue smoke, but this past weekend there was an abundance of fog and blue smoke due to the rain showers that plagued the park. In spite of the weather, I did visit several sections of the park taking in the various wildlife including a few Black Bears in Cade's Cove. If you look at the very bottom of this image you will see bright pink blooms from the Mountain Rhododendrons. The Rhododendrons will be in full bloom in mid June. I just wished I could be there to see it. ENJOY!

Ravishing Fall Color

The natural beauty of Fall is quickly coming to an end. I relish every single moment of Fall with its reds, yellows, oranges and even its greens. There are times when one snaps an image only to realize later that it needs no words as it speaks for itself. This is one of those times. ENJOY!

Winding Mountain Road

What an unusual perspective I captured here of this winding road working its way around the mountain side.

Can you see the tiny car on the left side. I like the way you can see that car and the road in the middle of the frame. Those orange Fall leaves just added the right punch of color too. The Smoky Mountains is such an amazing place to photograph no matter the season, but Fall definitely is my favorite. ENJOY!

Fall Color, Smoky Mountains

One of the many benefits of rainy weather in the Smokies is the fog in and around the mountains.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Happy Halloween Eve! ENJOY!

GSMNP, Shrouded in Fog

There is always more to photograph than there is time to do so when you spend any amount of time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a virtual wonderland of rivers, streams, forests, woods, mountains, valleys and let's not forget the history that is found here. When you take 500 images over the course of four days and slowly cull through them to see just what you have captured, you never know what will be peering back at you.

When I happened upon this image, I decided it has to be one of my favorites from my trek to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No doubt there are people who believe rain and fog won't net them much on a photography trip. I beg to differ. A foggy mountainside can be stunning to me and when you add yellow Fall leaves with the dark green Fir trees, I declare a winner. I love to capture photos that have natural lines such as the one I shot here of the ridge line. It takes your eye right up to the top left of the photo. I did photograph some Fall color and some water images while on my trek and will post those soon. Back very soon. ENJOY!

Fall Color in the Smokies

Every color I encountered on my trip this week to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park surely is present in this image. The least of which is the blue smoke.

I moved to Hendersonville Friday. I like this small bedroom community north of Nashville and I think I will enjoy living next to the lake especially in Summer. I unpacked my furniture and such Friday night and Saturday. Then I had to pack Saturday evening for my Fall sojourn to the Smokies. The remnants of Hurricane Patricia made its way across Texas and the southern states and moved up into middle and eastern Tennessee Sunday. The front was so huge it rained every day while in the Smokies. It wasn't a steady rain which made it bearable. Today the sun did make a brief appearance. I am so very happy I do not have to pack anything for quite a while. I will be back soon with more Smokies images. ENJOY!

Blue Smoke, Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has two distinct characteristics setting it apart from any other park in the eastern United States. The first becomes apparent as you slowly travel throughout the mountains, valleys, rivers and forests of this park. Surrounded by wilderness for countless miles and miles, you quickly learn to appreciate the huge expanse of this national park.

The second characteristic is unmistakable as you stand peering down at the mountain ranges at Newfound Gap Overlook. The ever constant blue smoke saturates the mountains leaving a misty blue landscape to dominate the scene. ENJOY!