top of page

Photographing the Blue Ridge Parkway

  • Writer: Chris Cotton
    Chris Cotton
  • May 4
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 13

It's one of my favorite times of the year, the time when spring finally reaches the Blue Ridge Mountains! This weekend looked like it might be a wash though with heavy storms in the forecast. But, I saw a window of time Saturday morning that just might work out for some photos! So, in a last minute decision, I decided to drive to the mountains at 3:30 am Saturday morning to try my luck and catch sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here's what I got...

Colorful sunrise over misty, forested mountains, with vibrant pink, orange, and blue hues creating a serene, tranquil atmosphere.
The sun is about to peek over the horizon as a sea of clouds hangs over the valley below.
Sunrise over misty mountains with vibrant orange and pink sky. Fog blankets lush green hills, creating a serene, peaceful mood.
Sunrise above the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest
Sunrise over misty mountains with a warm orange and pink sky, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The sun rises above the Blue Ridge Mountains as the thick fog rests in the valley below.

After taking in the incredibly vibrant sun rise, I waited around for the sun to start filling the valley below. My goal was to capture the sunlight hitting the fog and casting its rays into the forest below. I couldn't have imagined how stunning it turned out...

A misty forest in early morning light, with sunbeams streaming through fog over lush, green pine trees. Calm and serene atmosphere.
Sunlight begins to illuminate the cloud covered forest below the parkway.
Misty forest with sunlight streaming through trees, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. Soft light and lush greenery.
The tall evergreen trees cast a beautiful shadow across the low lying clouds

Once the light show was nearing its end, I turned to photograph some of the migrating birds that joined me this morning. I got to see many new species that I don't get to see in the lower elevations of North Carolina!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler perched on a branch with green-yellow leaves, against a soft blurred background.
A Chestnut-Sided Warbler curiously inspecting my camera
Black-and-white warbler perched on a tree branch, singing. The background is an out-of-focus forest with budding leaves and muted colors.
A vocal Black and White Warbler singing in the canopy.
A Canada Warbler perched on a thin branch, with budding leaves, against a blurred green background. Peaceful mood.
A gorgeous Canada Warbler pausing just long enough for a photo.
Flowing creek over rocks in a lush green forest, captured with a long exposure for a soothing, blurred water effect and tranquil mood. In Pisgah National Forest
Before leaving the mountains, I took in this peaceful rushing creek deep in Pisgah National Forest

Thanks for following along! This is another one of my archived newsletter posts, if you want to stay up-to-date and receive the newsletter as I publish it, please be sure to subscribe on my homepage (linked below).

Thanks for your support!


Comments

20221008-IMG_0952-2(Small Size).jpg

BLOG

bottom of page