Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Title: Misty Oak
Date: October 2025
Location: Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Description:
During a brief period of dense autumn fog, this lone oak stands as the only distinct form visible above a sea of golden grass. The pervasive mist that fills the valleys of Cades Cove has obscured the surrounding ridges, reducing the expansive landscape to its fundamental elements. This image captures the characteristic atmospheric conditions of late fall in the Smokies, when low-lying fog and the subdued colors of deciduous trees combine to create a scene defined by isolation and quiet depth.