AROUND THE BEND

ISO 200, f/20, 1/5 second, -1EV, 19mm

This corner in the Middle Prong of the Little River was a great place for shooting a few different types of things on Sunday morning. This tree that overhangs the river with a weeping willow type branch was too good to pass up. The sun shining in from the left to create some contrast was great as well. A little Dreamland effect from OnOne's Perfect Effects 3 Free and viola

TREMONT TREE

ISO 400, f/11, 1/5 second, 19mm

  You know sometimes you just have to break the rules.
  Most of the time I try to keep the horizon of an image level in the frame. Today I got a bit "crazy" and while shooting this awesome tree in Tremont of the Great Smoky Mountains this morning I couldn't help myself. Wanting to accent the tree I cranked over the tripod head so it would reach from the bottom left to the top right and stretch the entire length of the frame. The Middle Prong of the Little River running under the tree is slanted quite a bit, but I really like the way this works with the tree.
  Something that I've learned is that no matter what anyone else thinks of your image, as long as you are happy with the outcome, that is most important thing.

SNOWBLIND

ISO 200, f/20, 1/5 second, 19mm

You filled me with confidence, but you blinded my eyes
You tricked me with visions of paradise
Now I realize, I'm Snowblind
-Styx

 No tricks of visions of paradise in Tremont in the #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark on Sunday. Just pure winter wonder and beauty. Fresh snow and a roaring Middle Prong of the Little River create a different type of beauty that doesn't occur at any other time of the year that I have seen here.

AND SINCE WE'VE NO PLACE TO GO. LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

ISO 400, f/16, 1/4 second, +1EV, 19mm

  Tremont was definitely a winter wonderland yesterday. Overhanging trees that usually show off the green moss that covers them were balancing an inch or two of snow and reaching a bit closer to touching the swelled Middle Prong of the Little River.
   Climbing around on the rocks was a bit tense. Not only did I have to contend with the wet rocks they were covered with frozen snow and were extra slick and dangerous. Couldn't get to normal vantage points as well from the extra water in the river.
   Was an incredible sight to behold where ever I got to stand and point the camera.

DETOURED

ISO 100, f/20, 1/4 second, 19mm

  The best laid plans are filled with good intentions.
  This morning, my plans and intentions were to go to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to capture some of the snowfall that we had gotten over the past 2 days. As I turned right onto Little River Rd to head that way the gate just past Tremont Rd to Cades Cove was closed and could not go that way. This was the first time I have ever seen this road shut down.
  With access to the cove blocked I turned down Tremont Rd with hopes that it was not closed as it had been the last time I tried to got there when it snowed. As I approached the Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont the gate was open and I was able to continue on. WOO-HOO!
  As it turns out, being blocked from going to Cades Cove was a blessing in disguise. The further I traveled into Tremont, the deeper the snowfall was and the more beautiful the Middle Prong of the Little River became. Places I had photographed in the fall, summer, and spring were totally different now with 4-6 inches of snow on the ground and swelling streams. It was amazing!
  As the sun rose the blue skies were very prevalent as well with wonderful puffy white clouds floating all through them. What a great scene.
  Today's post is from one of the many parking areas along the road where I really loved the way the snow-covered pines, blue skies, and white clouds all merged together. I liked the way the road curved through the scene and only when I was processing the image did I noticed my own tire tracks leading in from the bottom left of the frame to mirror the roads curve. Bonus!
  Way more shots to post from a gorgeous morning in Tremont coming soon.