Location: Near Peak Color At Graveyard Fields Milepost 418.  NOTE: The Graveyard Fields area is managed by the US Forest Service  (not the National Park Service) and the trail system is open for enjoying both waterfalls.  Graveyard Fields is scheduled to undergo renovations in November.

“The leaves are near peak from Mt. Pisgah to at least the Graveyard Fields area. There was virtually nobody on the Parkway this evening. The campgrounds and amenities are shutdown, but the main attraction this season is not!!”

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Photo By: Joey Anderson

Location: Oconaluftee Visitor Center (GSMNP), Milepost 469

I’ve wanted to photograph these elk for years now and I finally had the opportunity to do so. This photo was taken near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Please check out my other pics at www.jlandersonphotography.com or www.facebook.com/JosephLAndersonPhotography

Camera: Nikon D7000

Lens: AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8 D

ISO: 1000

Aperture: f/2.8

Shutter: 1/250 seconds

Exposure: Manual

Focal Length: 135mm

Filters: None

How I Got This Shot

I took this shot at approximately 6:45 a.m. just after sunrise. These elk feed in the field adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Great Smoky Mountain National Park) at sunrise and sunset.

A telephoto is a must to zoom in on the detail. I also recommend a fast lens so that you can get great bokeh. This particular shot was hand held, but I also got great shots that morning using a tripod and shutter release.

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