If you’ve ever driven the southern Blue Ridge Parkway through Western North Carolina, there’s one iconic rock that you’ll likely remember:  Looking Glass Rock.  Standing nearly four thousand feet in elevation with a slick, bare surface of whiteside granite, Looking Glass Rock stands tall and distinguished in an otherwise green, forested landscape.  The science folks call Looking Glass Rock a pluton.

On this particular morning, thick, inverted clouds were working through the forested valleys and slopes.  One moment the low clouds were moving in, obscuring all views, conquering whatever clear air they could find.  The next, the sun would pop through, burn the thin, wispy clouds back, place a bit of warmth on the lush landscape.  And so it went for the better part of several hours, a dance familiar to anyone who spends time in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  I waited with my lens tight on Looking Glass in the hopes that one of the clearings would land right along the rock face.  I got lucky.

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @145mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  May 15, 2024
Settings:  f11, 1/40 second, iso 125