An Autumn Journey through the South and Mid-Atlantic States

Jim Clark

For some, autumn means the hustle and bustle of spring and summer is ending. For these folks fall simply begets the onset of winter. However, autumn has its own rush of activity and excitement, and it's not confined to the mountains and the colorful transition of summer's greens to fall's cavalcade of oranges, reds, and gold. Nature photographers, that ever diligent contingency of outdoor enthusiasts who cherish every season, possess a special place in their hearts and cameras for this season. They know what treasures await them from September through November of each year.

Autumn along the mid-Altantic and southern regions of the United States gives photographers an extra reason to celebrate: infinite possibilities. Here, autumn becomes a gala of colors, critters, landscapes, and memories. Autumn is an energetic season, a season tempting nature photographers with a multitude of photographic subjects. The fall season provides ideal conditions for the nature photographer – fewer crowds, milder temperatures, peak wildlife migrations, and of course, the colorful changing foliage.

The parks, forests, and refuges are less congested. Autumn skies, as seen from the tallest mountains to the eastern most coastal beaches, are crispy clear and rich in shades of blue. The migration of millions of birds (and monarch butterflies), from the diminutive songbirds, to graceful raptors, to colorful species of waterfowl and immense flocks of shorebirds, can be seen along the mountain ridges and along the long stretches of coastal beach. White-tailed deer and groundhogs have added more weight and are in their prime condition. Add in the rural landscapes and striking vistas, the abstract patterns, and imposing cloud formations dancing across the autumn sky, and you have the makings of a great autumn photography experience.

In addition to photographing the fall colors, to capture a sense of place about the autumn season, add images of the wildlife, the coastal beaches, rural landscapes, and historic structures that grace the landscape. Your imagination and creativity are the only requirements in guaranteeing a successful outing. Listed are some autumn favorites among the mountains and coastal regions of the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions of the United States . Enjoy, soak it all in, and share with others what you have captured on film or flash card.

Kentucky

Mountains : Cumberland Gap National Historical Gap (KY/TN/VA):

Kentucky , Tennessee , and Virginia share this 20,200-acre preserve. The autumn vista from the Pinnacle Overlook, especially with banks of thick fog rolling in, is awe-inspiring. Autumn colors, white-tailed deer, split-rail fences, and other historic structures are only a few of the potential subjects to photograph here.

Mountains : Breaks Interstate Park (KY/VA):

Straddling the border of Kentucky and Virginia , this central Appalachian park occupies the northeastern section of Pine Mountain . The park's 4,600 acres is comprised of a diversity of hardwoods such as yellow poplar, oaks, hickories, beech, birch, walnut, and maple. The park is a landscape of deep gorges and imposing geologic formations, including the Towers, an immense rock knob bordering a horseshoe bend where the Big Sandy River breaks a five-mile, 1,000 foot-deep canyon.

Tennessee :

Mountains : Big South Fork National Scenic River and Recreation Area (TN/KY):

Big South Fork was of the favorite locations for my late dear friend John Netherton. He never could get enough of this place and I can see why. This enclave of deep gorges, natural arches, and rushing whitewater covers more than 160,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau . Enormous ridges and cliffs rise over the Cumberland River . Autumn colors peak around mid-October.

Mountains : Falls Creek Falls State Resort Park :

Plunging 256 feet into an eroded gorge, Falls Creek Falls is the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States . Another favorite location for John Netherton, the park has five other waterfalls worth photographing as well. About 10,000 of the park's 15,000 acres are designated as a state natural area, presenting the nature photographer with lots of opportunities to capture fall colors along the Cumberland Plateau region.

West Virginia

Mountains : Babcock State Park :

A photographer could easily spend a day at this state park just photographing the gristmill nestled along Glade Creek. And most do. The gristmill is probably the most photographed structure of its kind in the country these days. Situated in a narrow gorge deep inside the park, the gristmill is only one subject of interest to photographers. Glade Creek has an assortment of cascades, while the park's hillsides of oak, hickory, and poplar present autumn colors with a southern accent.

Mountains : New River Gorge National River :

Flowing north fifty-three miles from Hinton northwest to Fayetteville , the New River – the world's second oldest river – forms the focal point for this unit of the National Park Service. The gorge protects one of the most diverse collections of flora and fauna in the entire Appalachian Mountain chain. Be sure to set your sights and camera along the lip of this steep-cliff gorge, especially around Hawks Nest State Park and the Canyon Rim Visitor Center , located adjacent to the New River Gorge Bridge . For some spectacular waterfall and cascade photography, explore the boardwalk and trails along Sandstone Falls , located near Hinton. While only 10 to 25 feet high at the most, the falls stretches across the entire river, for more than 1,200 feet.

Maryland :

Mountains : Western Maryland :

The entire 1,087 square mile region of western Maryland is a wonderful place to explore during the autumn months. The counties of Garrett and Allegany each offer some of the prime foliage photography locations along the Atlantic seaboard. The mountains are clothed in a wonderful fall attire of oak, beech, cherry, and maple. Between these gentle sloped mountains lie wide valleys, offering unlimited possibilities for capturing rural landscapes and structures. Consider exploring Green Ridge State Park , Garrett State Forest , Savage River State Forest , and Deep Creek Lake State Park .

Coast ( Chesapeake Bay ): Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Located at the confluence of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay , this 2,200-acre island national wildlife refuge is one of the best locations in the east to photograph the magnificent tundra swan. Each fall, more than seven thousand of these graceful birds converge on the refuge and surrounding bay marshes. More than 15,000 canvasbacks, 20,000 Canada geese and countless other ducks such as mallards, gadwalls, pintails, and redheads also winter here.

Virginia :

Mountains : Mount Rogers National Recreation Area:

This 140,000-acre recreational wonderland located within the remote southwestern region of the state lies within both the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests . Virginia 's two tallest peaks, Mount Rogers (5,729 feet) and White Top (5,344) are found here. The autumn colors begin in late September and trees such as dogwood, sourwood, blackgum, tulip poplar, oak, and red maple provide the many varieties of fall color decorating the mountains here. Three state parks – Grayson Highlands , New River , and Hungry Mother—are located nearby and are worth exploring as well.

Coast : Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge & Assateague Island National Seashore (VA/MD):

The crown jewels of the Eastern Shore , this fabled national wildlife refuge and remote national seashore share common boundaries. Assateague's 48,000 acres stretches for 37 miles from the Maryland border south to Chincoteague in Virginia . It is remote and accessible only by foot or by kayaking along the bayside. The seashore and refuge each offers outstanding wildlife and nature photography opportunities. In fall, thousands of geese and ducks converge on the refuge's wetland habitats. The refuge's island's resident wild ponies, Delmarva fox squirrels, river otters, and sika deer, will keep you photographically in a blissful state of mind.

North Carolina

Mountains : Grandfather Mountain :

At 5,964 feet above sea level, Grandfather Mountain is the tallest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains . Although privately owned, the mountain is open to the public and for nature photographers, this is one of the prime autumn locations in the Appalachian Mountains . Along with spectacular autumn colors, are stirring vistas of the valleys below and a rugged topography of outcroppings, cliffs, and boulders.

Coast : The Outer Banks:

One of the most captivating landscapes to explore along the eastern seaboard is the Outer Banks, a series a narrow barrier islands bordering the mainland of North Carolina . Isolated and shaped by the forces of sand, ocean, and wind, these islands stretch for more than 140 miles along the coast. The Outer Banks offer solitude and unbelievable opportunities to capture stirring images of a primeval coastal landscape. Autumn is a grand time to explore and photograph the wildlife, landscapes, and moods of this mystical place. About 72 miles of the northern reaches of the Outer Banks are protected within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, while stretches of the southern portion fall within the Cape Lookout National Seashore.

South Carolina :

Mountains : Caesars Head State Park :

Located south of the North Carolina border, Caesars Head State Park includes a large wilderness area – Mountain Bridge Wilderness. The park's namesake is a granite outcropping standing at an elevation of 3, 266 feet above sea level. This is where the Appalachian Mountains suddenly drop about 2,000 feet to the Piedmont , a landscape of soft, rolling hills. The park offers wonderful mountain vistas and sparkling waterfalls.

Coast : South Carolina 's Low country:

With a network of tidal rivers, upland and swamp forests, salt marshes, coastal beaches and barrier islands, South Carolina 's Low country have the perfect recipe for autumn photography. This is a magical landscape, replete with its own unique fragrances, sounds, and cast of wildlife. Hardwood trees only account for 14 – 20 percent of the Low country forest acreage, but autumn colors can be found here and with the sweet aroma of pine needles on a sandy substrate, you have a unique autumn experience worth capturing on film. Locations to explore in the low country include the Santee Coastal Reserve, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge.

Georgia :

Mountains : Cloudland Canyon State Park :

Located in northwest Georgia , this 2,500-acre park protects one of the most striking vistas in the southern Appalachians . On the western lip of Lookout Mountain , is a 1,000-foot deep canyon, complete with craggy cliffs and rushing waterfalls. For southern autumn photography at its best, consider a trip to Georgia 's Appalachian Mountain region.

Coast : Savannah Coastal National Wildlife Refuge Complex (SC/GA):

Stretching from Hilton Head, South Carolina to Darien , Georgia , this necklace of seven national wildlife refuges protects critical coastal habitats for thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife. Three of the refuges, Pickney Island , Savannah , and Harris Neck are accessible by car. Each offers hiking trails, auto-tour routes, and boardwalks. Tybee Island and Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuges are closed to the public, but Wassaw Island and Blackbeard Islands are accessible by boat and offer unique wilderness experience. The remote beaches of these two island refuges are great for photographing seashells, such as the knobbed whelk, channeled whelk, angel wing, sand dollar, and lettered olive.