Waiting Still
© Copyright John C. House, Everyday Miracles Photography. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use in any way without my express consent. As always, this is better viewed large.
This was taken from the top of Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains at 6,643 feet (2,025 m). When clear, it is possible to see for some ways, but that is an important caveat, since it is very often the case that the mists of the Smokies and the clouds themselves obfuscate the view. When seeking a sunset, it is a roll of the dice, with conditions often changing rapidly for the hour or so before the sun sets and the 30 minutes or so afterwards. Clouds roll in and engulf the peak only to move out and leave the promise of a little color. Color looks promising only to have clouds blot it out last minute.
This shot was taken during the waiting time, less than an hour before actual sunset. The clouds and mists had totally moved in and blocked out the sun, leaving the mountains to the south bathed in blue, not unusual for the Smoky Mountains. I have been on this mountain when clouds blew in so thick that you could only see about 50 feet, but this was not nearly like that.
The Fraser Firs have been decimated by the Balsam woolly adeligid, a non-native insect that has killed over 80 percent of the mature trees. The younger trees survive only until they get large enough for the bark to develop the fissures that allow the adeligid to attack it. The skeletons of the larger trees still fill the landscape. Even so, they contribute to a strange beauty in this smoky blue light.
Explored at #385 on 7-13-11.
Waiting Still
© Copyright John C. House, Everyday Miracles Photography. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use in any way without my express consent. As always, this is better viewed large.
This was taken from the top of Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains at 6,643 feet (2,025 m). When clear, it is possible to see for some ways, but that is an important caveat, since it is very often the case that the mists of the Smokies and the clouds themselves obfuscate the view. When seeking a sunset, it is a roll of the dice, with conditions often changing rapidly for the hour or so before the sun sets and the 30 minutes or so afterwards. Clouds roll in and engulf the peak only to move out and leave the promise of a little color. Color looks promising only to have clouds blot it out last minute.
This shot was taken during the waiting time, less than an hour before actual sunset. The clouds and mists had totally moved in and blocked out the sun, leaving the mountains to the south bathed in blue, not unusual for the Smoky Mountains. I have been on this mountain when clouds blew in so thick that you could only see about 50 feet, but this was not nearly like that.
The Fraser Firs have been decimated by the Balsam woolly adeligid, a non-native insect that has killed over 80 percent of the mature trees. The younger trees survive only until they get large enough for the bark to develop the fissures that allow the adeligid to attack it. The skeletons of the larger trees still fill the landscape. Even so, they contribute to a strange beauty in this smoky blue light.
Explored at #385 on 7-13-11.