January 14 is my birthday and I started the day out by arriving at the Carvers Gap parking in the Roan Highlands just after midnight. The temperature was near zero as I reclined the seat, wrapped myself with my -20 F sleeping bag, and pulled a wool hat over my head. I slept surprisingly well.
By 5:30 am, I was on Appalachian Trail on my way to Round Bald. This is a relatively short, easy hike, but the two-foot deep snow on the trail made going much more difficult than it should have. I don’t get very many opportunities to break out my snow shoes, but this time would have been one of them. After an hour or so of wandering through the spruce trees, I found a composition I was fairly happy with. This is only one of many versions of different perspective and light, but it’s something to share now.
So, what is the gift? The light, the snow, the image? Nahhh, just being there. The image is merely icing on the proverbial birthday cake.
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6 Comments
Very cool Richard – Seems like you stumbled into a friend of mine on this trek. I hate that you guys have gotten to enjoy this amazing scenery and I’ve been stuck at work!
Happy Birthday, Richard. What a splendid gift, indeed. You are truly blessed and we thank you for blessing us with your incredible talent. Thank you for sharing your birthday moment. The “icing on the cake” was perfect! ~ D. Gillespie in Gatlinburg
Richard, what a gift? This is a gift that money cannot buy–this experience that you had and captured so beautifully with your camera!
beautiful richard….! what a great gift for your birthday!
Happy belated birthday, Richard. This photo makes the viewer feel as if they are right there in the scene with you. What a gift–thank you!
Richard, this is truly a magnificent gift. It was worth all of the cold and snow to get this image!