Even the ivy

Even the ivy, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Even the poison ivy has shown color here in the high country.  Sunset shed great light on this transition tree in Valle Crucis.

Red & Orange & Yellow

Red & Orange & Yellow, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The pastures and landscapes of this area never stop amazing me. The colors they can produce are irresistible, complimentary, and beautiful.

Green Carpet

Green Carpet, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The Point

The Point, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

While hiding in a quiet spot eating, what I could only call a gourmet lunch (thanks to Polly’s in Brevard), a passer-by leads a pack of people to “the point”, he called it. I had no idea we were anywhere near a “point”. Curiosity got the best of us and we headed out the same way…to the point. Behold! a great vista looking north.

Appreciator

Appreciator, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My father-in-law takes it all in while we all enjoyed a beautiful evening on the parkway, waiting for the sun to go down and loving the cool mtn air.

Majestic

Majestic, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

This stream may be small, but at this moment on the Boone Fork Trail, i had a renewed appreciation for the trail. It’s 5 miles take you thru a fantastic mecca of Appalachian perfection.

Fallen

Fallen, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Hemlocks mostly, diseased and dead where they stand. Some have fallen to make this tangle.

Rusty Coil

Rusty Coil, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Rolling Fences

Rolling Fences, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Rolling hills traced by a fence to keep the cows from roaming where they shouldn’t. You can see them gathered in the background.

Barbed Post

Barbed Post, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Picket Shadows

Picket Shadows, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Cheese

Cheese, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My dog is the biggest ham, poser, and cheese…

Shadow Tree

Shadow Tree, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The details in the shadows from this tree were so fantastic. Couple that with green spring grass and blue skies and it’s a spectacular subject.

Profile Trail Boulder Steps

Profile Trail Boulder Steps, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The Profile Trail on Grandfather Mountain has many rocks, boulders, and streams encountered when hiking this trail. I think early spring is one of the absolute best times to hike this trail due to great light thru the trees, new growth, and full streams.

Moss Covered Boulders

Moss Covered Boulders, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Water swirls around rocks in a shallow pool.

Twin Falls

Twin Falls, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Now that spring is upon us, some rain has filled creeks and rivers, brightened greens, and it’s brought us my favorite time of year to get out and see new life.

Quiet Bench

DSC_3871, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

All around Bass Lake (part of the Moses Cone trails) there are great quiet spots to take a rest, enjoy the lake and soak it all up. It was a bit cold this day to do so.

Moses H. Cone

Moses H. Cone, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a beautiful 3500 acre park just north of Blowing Rock, NC, home to miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

Fall Harvest

Fall Harvest, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Full trees and gorgeous mountains fill the scene at the Orchard at Altapass along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Barn

I really never thought I’d find photographing barns and fields so interesting, but in Appalachia (and every where else for that matter), barns are freestanding testiments to a way a of life most of us don’t see, never knew, or dont’ remember.  I’m seeing more and more of this art on barns around here, but haven’t figured out the story yet.