WxBlue Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Just an observation from driving around Asheville this evening, but there seem to be more orange/red this year than it was last year. Trees on UNCA quad is already burnt orange, which is an impressive sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Saturday October 11 2014 All photographs and commentary are courtesy of friends at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. A deer ambles through the animal habitat at grandfather Mountain as if admiring the autumn splendor around her. . In the High Country, residents are beginning to take note of another color change that signals the presence of fall: the transition of the deer’s fur from tan to gray. Grandfather Mountain continues its guided walk series, “The Colors of Grandfather,” at 1 p.m. today and Sunday. Staff naturalists will showcase the changing autumn colors and explain the science behind this annual spectacle. The program is included with regular park admission. Photo by Skip Sickler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Sunday October 12 2014 All photographs and commentary are courtesy of friends at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. A sugar maple shines in glorious gold and green outside the Old Hampton Store in Linville. Because individual trees can vary in their leaf chemistry, sugar maples also can turn bright red or orange depending on their interaction with the environment. They’re also commonly used for production of maple syrup, as many connoisseurs consider them to have the most pleasing flavor of the maple varieties. Photo by Skip Sicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Bonus Picture from Saturday October 11 2014 Linville Gorge Photo courtesy of NCPowderHound (Karen Wilkens) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Monday October 13 2014 All photographs and commentary are courtesy of friends at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Water droplets collect along the stems of a burning bush (Euonymus alatus) at Grandfather Mountain. While the bush is considered invasive in some parts of the United States, it’s hard to deny its autumn allure as the dark green leaves turn to vivid red in fall. Despite rain in the forecast for the High Country during the early part of this week, the second half of the week offers more opportunities for long-range views. Until then, take a moment to look closer at the stars of the fall spectacle. This week begins the final countdown to the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk and the Valle Country Fair in Valle Crucis, two of North Carolina’s premier festivals of the fall season. http://www.vallecountryfair.org/ Photo by Kellen Short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Tuesday October 14 2014 All photographs and commentary are courtesy of friends at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Up in the Clouds and rain greets visitors to the High Country today, but the autumn colors provide a cheery glow in moments when the veil lifts briefly. The weather report for today is grim - 50+ mph sustained winds and rain comes at the worst of all possible times for the fall leaves and leaves at the higher elevations in non-protected areas are now mostly on the ground this afternoon with the forest becoming bare and ready for the first snow over the coming weeks. Because leaves are not fully developed at lower elevations below 3000 feet, fall colors may survive this round of storms in lower elevations. For those still waiting to come to the mountains, check out places like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Table Rock State Parks, Linville Gorge and South Mountains which are all located at lower elevations. While visitors and locals alike hope the storms will spare our autumn color for a couple more weeks, days like this remind us that trees are not just “lookers” but also workers. They help prevent soil erosion and act like sponges, filtering pollutants from the water. Fallen leaves also provide food and shelter for insects and provide nutrients essential for plant growth. Photo by Skip Sickler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrgjeff Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Took these on the Thomas Divide and Kanati Fork trails, and then the road down to Cherokee, on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Hike was on Friday October 17th. Looking through trees on the Thomas Divide hike: Low resolution panorama from road down to Cherokee: Happy leaf viewing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrgjeff Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Drove the Cherohala Skyway from NC to TN on Saturday, October 25. While I was correct that NC color was brilliant, based on the Smokies the week prior, we missed some excellent color on the TN side as clouds rolled in. Hooper Cove pullout: Shute Cove pullout: Obadiah was also pretty, but above that it was past peak. Brushy Ridge, on the Tenn side, was also colorful, but clouds dampened photos. This weekend I figure the best color is 2,000 FT or around that. Creeks, streams and waterfalls should be somewhat sheltered from the wind and weather coming in Friday night. We're not done yet. Still got a couple weeks at lower elevations, esp North Georgia. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvward Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxBlue Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've always want to go to that location, but I need to wait for new heavy-duty camera first. Beautiful picture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvward Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've always want to go to that location, but I need to wait for new heavy-duty camera first. Beautiful picture! Thanks man! I don't think you even need a ticket. I had someone give me one but found this location was on the way out and that I could have driven there without having to go through the gate where they take tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calculus1 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Yes, that is an absolutely fantastic picture, Hvward! Nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvward Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Yes, that is an absolutely fantastic picture, Hvward! Nicely done. Thank you Calc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Met1985 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've always want to go to that location, but I need to wait for new heavy-duty camera first. Beautiful picture! Beautiful pic man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvward Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Beautiful pic man! Thanks guys haha I actually took this last Friday but forgot about it in the process of making my timelapse. Glad you guys enjoyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxBlue Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Thanks man! I don't think you even need a ticket. I had someone give me one but found this location was on the way out and that I could have driven there without having to go through the gate where they take tickets. Hmm, I was wondering if it was possible to get there without ticket... I looked on map, but couldn't figure out where gates were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvward Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Hmm, I was wondering if it was possible to get there without ticket... I looked on map, but couldn't figure out where gates were. You have the main gate off Biltmore Ave. but I didn't need a ticket to get through there surprisingly. Then the road forks about a half mile in. To go into the house you have to take the fork left and go to the ticket office, but if you don't take the fork in the road and keep straight, it goes right "the swamp". It is about another mile in but you don't have to go through another gate so I would assume you can get there without a ticket. I could be wrong though, but it would be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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