The Black Balsam area off the Blue Ridge Parkway is one that I’m pretty familiar with, but that I’ve also never much connected with.  Not sure why.  The Art Loeb Trail, shown here, traverses the crest of open, grassy balds.  The views are gorgeous.  The popularity of this area needs no extensive description.  I just never felt the connection.  I keep revisiting, however.  Just in case.

I never posted this photograph from the summer of 2024 because of the sun flare towards the top of frame.  The dark storm cloud catching the last light has a purplish flare.  Perhaps if I felt a stronger connection to the place or the photograph I would’ve spent some time seeing if I could remove the flare in post.  For now, here is what it is.  What say you?  Are you connected to this place?  Does this photograph say anything to you?  Should I continue to visit?   

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @36mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  May 19, 2024
Settings:  f14, 1/6 second, iso 64