The Ridge

Great Smoky Mountains Scenic Landscape Photography Print

Blue Ridge Parkway scenic landscape photography print showcasing some fantastic crepuscular light rays breaking through the clouds overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Western North Carolina. The southern Appalachians are always an incredible sight during the spring bloom, offering up rich colors in the new foliage and spring blooms that can sometimes rival an autumn scene, and the frequently dramatic skies full of contrast and texture as seasonal thunderstorms regularly pass through the Blue Ridge Mountains this time of the year.

On this particular evening, I couldn't resist shooting the intense golden sunlight streaming through the storm clouds and highlighting the top edge of the mountain ridge in front of me. It was only for a brief moment under the quick moving skies that the sunlight aligned just perfectly across the ridge, turning what would normally be just another mountain ridge among many into the star of the show. These are the moments that a landscape photographer will spend days in the field chasing, when you're lucky enough to witness a rare occasion when all of the elements line up to create an extraordinary scene from the rapidly evolving conditions. Capturing that unique moment where the sum is greater than the parts can be a deeply rewarding experience, a one time event that will likely never look the exact same way again. I hope you enjoy the view!

Tags: great smoky mountains, blue ridge parkway, spring, north carolina, landscape photography, light rays, appalachian mountains, photography print