Cascading Water, Little Pigeon River, Part II

As a photographer who enjoys photographing cascading water, traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where there is nothing but rivers and streams with rushing water, well, it doesn't get any better than that. On Sunday I attempted to photograph water in a much higher light level. The images I captured were not to my liking. It happens. And since I am intent on photographing water, I know I have to take the good with the bad. But does there have to be so much bad? Sorry, I had to ask.

Hence, my next attempt out to photograph water, I opted for a lower level light and a much less complex setting. The result was the image I posted yesterday and the image today. Both were captured on the Little Pigeon River in similar light levels.

As the water hits a boulder and spews out in tiny vertical streams falling down into a milky white pool before being diluted back to the depths of the river, well, that just makes my heart pitter patter. And I thank God you folks are happy to indulge me by allowing me to show you these images. It's the little things in life. Seriously. ENJOY!

Cascading Water, Little Pigeon River

Making my annual Fall pilgrimage to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I found Fall foliage at near peak levels. No doubt later this week it will reach its peak. The park's lower elevations were absolutely stunning as I drove the routes to both Cade's Cove and Newfound Gap. On my last day I decided to photograph the water rushing down the Little Pigeon River in Greenbrier. Greenbrier is generally a single road, almost two lanes, but not quite, that travels many miles back into the park ending at the trail head to Porter's Creek Trail.

There's one turn off on the main road in Greenbrier which is equally long and dead ends at the trail head to Ramsey Cascades. Ramsey Cascades is a gorgeous waterfall that I have seen photos of, but probably will never hike to. It's a four mile hike with a pretty hefty accent. On this particular day, I decided to take the road less traveled which was the road to Ramsey Cascades. I had never taken this route before, but was so glad I had because the Fall foliage was gorgeous. Not to mention the opportunities to stop and take photos of the cascading falls as the water rushed over the rocks down the Little Pigeon River to a destination unknown. I will be back soon with more images from my journey. Hope you have had a great week so far. ENJOY!

Meigs Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It's a waterfall that normally is a few simple trickles viewed from afar along the motor route to Cade's Cove in the Smokies.

On this particular day, however, Meigs Falls was 'A GUSH' of water flowing fast and furiously to the edge of the falls and falling over fiercely into the stream that would take it to the Little Pigeon River. The torrential rains brought many opporunities for flowing water falls on this visit to the park this year. Something I anticipated while driving into the park late in the day knowing full well torrential rains and a tornado were impacting the park especially on its north side. Can I tell you how much I love the detail of the rocks in this image contrasted with the feathery water falling down the side of the cliff. ENJOY!

Falls, Little Pigeon River, Porter's Creek Trail

Last Spring I spent a few days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Prior to heading home, I stopped at Greenbrier, on the northeast side of the park, and definitely one of the least visited sections of the Smokies.

The Porter's Creek Trail is at the very end of the road that meanders through Greenbrier. The middle prong of the Little Pigeon River runs alongside the trail as you begin your hike. This trail is infamous for it's Spring Trillium display in April every year. I really enjoyed photographing the river and a few of its cascades of waterfalls. Check my sidebar for a slightly different image. I wanted to share this particular image as it shows more of the large moss covered boulders and the tree branches hanging over the river. The large moss covered boulders are a feature of the park I have grown to love. And in many ways they are a trademark of the Smokies. This trail makes for a great hike. There are just enough folks along the trail that you don't feel alone at all. And it is so peaceful since you are very deep inside the park with just the sounds of the water falling down the river and the forest surrounding you. Nearly every visit I make to this park now includes a trek to Greenbrier, and in particular, a walk along Porter's Creek Trail. Hope your week is off to a great start. ENJOY!

Little Pigeon River

I took several variations of angles of the rushing water as I stood alongside the Little Pigeon River in the Smokies a few weeks ago. This is another of those images. ENJOY!

Rushing Waters, Little Pigeon River, GSMNP

Just a quick note to point out there was very little sunlight yesterday morning as I stood beside the Little Pigeon River taking images of the rushing waters in the Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a matter of fact, as I made my way out of Greenbrier it began to mist very, very lightly. I didn't mind the inclement weather this trip. When you're in the Smokies rain can be a good thing as steam tends to roll off the mountains in pockets, slowly wafting its way up into the horizon, hence the name. This particular image is one of my favorites from my trip. I like the way your eye travels as you take in the elements in this photo. ENJOY!

Cascading Waters, Greenbrier

Earlier today before departing for home, I headed over to Greenbrier in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to photograph the beautiful mossy rocks and boulders and gushing water along the Little Pigeon River. The Little Pigeon runs right alongside the road for many miles as you drive back into Greenbrier. This area of the park is very under utilized and, oh, how I love that. This was the first time I had given my new Nikon a real workout using the Aperture and Shutter Priority settings. I think it was a total success. Hope you agree. It's nice to be home. ENJOY!