Autumn in the Appalachians

EOS 60D | EF-S 15-85 @50 | 0.5s | f/8 | ISO 100 | Lee 0.9 HE GND

I think the title and this photo pretty much sum up that wonderful autumn feeling as it can only be experienced in the Appalachian mountains. This is what I think of when I think of autumn. A road through the mountains, the changing leaves on the trees, the haze obscuring the distant peaks... and then topped off with the glowing orange clouds illuminated by the just risen sun.

Captured near the southern reaches of the Blue Ridge mountains, this was taken in the Great Smokies, from on top of the observation tower at the top of Clingman's Dome, in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, looking east into North Carolina.

11-30-2011: Updated with a warmer version. After viewing the original, it felt a bit cold and uninviting. Although the seasons are changing and things are getting colder, this was supposed to be an inviting, nostalgic type image and the cold tones just werent doing it for me. Also did my best to lessen the bright yellow strip in the sky.