Sunsets and Sunrises

Sunsets and sunrises offer the most brilliant colors and light for photography which is why the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset are commonly known as the golden or magic hour. We are blessed with the addition of mountain ridges and dramatic storm clouds, so resisting the urge to photograph these times is futile. Last night and this morning were certainly no exception and I thought I would share my captures.

The first photograph was taken last night as we were driving home through Cataloochee Ranch. I was planning to take pictures of the horses, but when I saw the view over Soco Gap as the storm clouds were dissipating, my subject changed. An early thunderstorm had rattled our ridges, but the storm broke shortly before sunset allowing the sky to clear. The mix of purple sky and pockets of cloud was impossible to resist.

Sunset over Soco Gap from Cataloochee Guest Ranch

The second photo was taken early this morning from a bedroom window in my house. The back of the house faces due east so we capture all of the beauty (and warmth) of the sunrises. The low level clouds were creating some dense valley fog, but the ridges are clear and views are gorgeous.

Sunrise from Maggie Valley