eevy24012
Apple Orchard Mountain Sunrise
Hard to believe the weather forecast was calling for something other than "sonic clear" while there still may be a colored leaf of 2 clinging on a few trees. I got up early and was quite surprised that for once, they were right. The parkway runs past my city and if it weren't for flame azalea in the spring, I'd consider the south way a total loss until it gets well into NC. The north is very pretty with some 4000 ft mountains and views, but it is a rather difficult place to catch a really good sunrise or set near the road. The problem I've found is the lay of the mountains, much of the year they are running into the sun and it's difficult to get a "perpendicular" view.
This photo was taken at the highest elevation overlook in VA. I find the original architecture of the parkway to be rather incredible, all of the great overlooks and the route it took, and would find it rather difficult to improve upon in that sense. I find today's management to be the other extreme, just a 1/2 step from total negligence and many destructive practices like mowing down the rare flowers, and letting it become "over-run" with various hobbies and lifestyles that have nothing to do with a scenic drive or it's conservation. This is one place where the original designers missed a golden chance to locate a far better overlook for the highpoint. If it were done 1/4 mile south, there is a large sweeping curve that has an incredible vantage point of the rising sun all year, and an awesome view into the piedmont area or "flat lands". The trees growing in that area make it impossible to get a shot. If it were about 1/2 mile north on Thunder Ridge, another long sweeping curve with the best view on VA's section. It is possible to park there and take photos, but the trees make it rather confined, as it is here with the site they chose.
I rode around most of the good spots of this area and have determined that for all long range scenic photography possibilities, fall has ended up here. Very few little clusters of trees still colorful. Soon the "post nuclear" look of winter will be upon us, and I'll be wishing for it's only scenic value to photography...snow! Hoping for lots and lots of 4-6" events that come followed by blue skies with wispy clouds and light breeze, then go away quickly.
Apple Orchard Mountain Sunrise
Hard to believe the weather forecast was calling for something other than "sonic clear" while there still may be a colored leaf of 2 clinging on a few trees. I got up early and was quite surprised that for once, they were right. The parkway runs past my city and if it weren't for flame azalea in the spring, I'd consider the south way a total loss until it gets well into NC. The north is very pretty with some 4000 ft mountains and views, but it is a rather difficult place to catch a really good sunrise or set near the road. The problem I've found is the lay of the mountains, much of the year they are running into the sun and it's difficult to get a "perpendicular" view.
This photo was taken at the highest elevation overlook in VA. I find the original architecture of the parkway to be rather incredible, all of the great overlooks and the route it took, and would find it rather difficult to improve upon in that sense. I find today's management to be the other extreme, just a 1/2 step from total negligence and many destructive practices like mowing down the rare flowers, and letting it become "over-run" with various hobbies and lifestyles that have nothing to do with a scenic drive or it's conservation. This is one place where the original designers missed a golden chance to locate a far better overlook for the highpoint. If it were done 1/4 mile south, there is a large sweeping curve that has an incredible vantage point of the rising sun all year, and an awesome view into the piedmont area or "flat lands". The trees growing in that area make it impossible to get a shot. If it were about 1/2 mile north on Thunder Ridge, another long sweeping curve with the best view on VA's section. It is possible to park there and take photos, but the trees make it rather confined, as it is here with the site they chose.
I rode around most of the good spots of this area and have determined that for all long range scenic photography possibilities, fall has ended up here. Very few little clusters of trees still colorful. Soon the "post nuclear" look of winter will be upon us, and I'll be wishing for it's only scenic value to photography...snow! Hoping for lots and lots of 4-6" events that come followed by blue skies with wispy clouds and light breeze, then go away quickly.