A Summer Meadow

I confess summer has not been my favorite time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I think its because of too much green. Once spring greens with their delicate hues and translucence have given way to the mature greens of summer, my interest falls off. So, it’s been a time for family trips elsewhere, photo excursions to the Rockies and so on – until now. With additional time this summer came a more intensive investigation of the delights offered by Cades Cove.

Sunbeams break through morning fog in Cades Cove

Not every summer gives a great display of Queen Anne’s lace and black-eyed Susan, but this year yielded a bumper crop. Starting in mid-July the Queen Anne’s lace carpeted sections of the loop road near Hyatt Lane and the black-eyed Susan was on the other side of the road – quite convenient for a photographer.

Black-eyed Susan in morning light, Cades Cove

Queen Anne’s Lace fill the meadow in Cades Cove near Hyatt Lane.

When those beauties began to fade the goldenrod started up, and are best along Sparks Lane, again in a convenient location. This year they were best in a position where they could receive backlighting from the morning sun. Sunrise can be tricky because if there is fog (best) it might be too thick and hide the sun until late in the morning. The meadow was also filled with dew laden spider webs, something I have not seen in such abundance. So, hurray! A visual delight and an opportunity to make stylistically different images on the same outing.

Strong morning light illuminates a field o goldenrod along Sparks Lane.

Foxtail grass and orbs in fog, Cades Cove.

A fairy land of dew laden webs fills the meadow near Sparks Lane.

Enjoy your time out with your camera. Relax and slow down and enjoy the moment. The quality of your images will improve proportionately.

Walk in Beauty

Nye