Fall Smokies and Kentucky Trip 2017

10-20-2017. Morning started with fog so thick you couldn't see out the window. As the sun came up and the fog slowly started to lift, this was the view of the Cumberland River from the lodge patio. It was so spectacular that the waitresses were running out of the restaurant with their phones.

Fog started to lift with the bright sun. This is one of my favorite views of the Cumberland River with the large rock, and the leaning tree.

Another view of the Cumberland River showing a little Fall color and two of the many crows.

Cumberland Falls as the fog lifts.

Rocks across the River.

10-21-17. Sunrise at the Foothills Parkway overlook. One of my favorite things! The scene changes constantly, and sometimes I get so into it I almost forget to photograph it.

A B&W conversion of the following shot.

The color version of the B&W. Changes the mood radically.

This odd phenomenon is called a Sundog. Never seen one before.

The Smoky Mountain Raptor Center brought in some of their birds for us to Photograph. This is a Red Screech Owl.

This little guy is a Grey Screech in a very nice naturalistic pose.

I liked the tail detail on this Red-Tailed Hawk.

Beautiful head on this Barn Owl.

On to Tremont, another of my favorite Smokies places. Different take on the water in my favorite spot. There was nowhere as much water as I am used to seeing.

Tremont waters again.

Patterns by nature.

In the midst of all the green lichens and moss here comes a bright red, tiny spider.

10-22-17. Elkmont. This is a historical section in the Smokies that was a vacation spot for people mainly from Knoxville. The Park is demolishing some structures and restoring others. Where they have demolished they have left the fireplaces and foundations intact. This one intrigued me because of the electric switch in what was otherwise meant to be an old stone fixture.

One of the few insects I saw. What is tentatively identified as a Gold-striped Leaftier, Machimia tentoriferella, posed nicely next to the very invasive English Ivy. Some Elkmont people planted it in their gardens and of course, it is trying to push out the natives.

10-23-17. Last morning of the workshop. Rain sent me to a shelter to practice focus stacking with on of the lichen covered branches I found.

10-23-17. Went to Natural Bridge SRP in Kentucky for the first time on the way home. The rain stopped long enough for me go up to the Bridge.

Intricate stump along the way.

The Natural Bridge. There wasn't a good place to get an image. It goes straight down!

Steps up to the top.

10-24-17. Next morning before leaving for home, I went up one of the steeper ways!