North Carolina – Michael Morgan Photos

At a Local Vineyard

North Carolina is known for many fine things, but one of those you may not be aware of is wine. Autumn Creek Vineyard is just a short drive after crossing the VA-NC state line headed south on Highway 220 toward Greensboro, NC from Martinsville, VA where we live. I’ve been there several times to take photos when the grapes are ripe. I’ve sampled the wine and it’s definitely good. At least for me. But it’s the photo compositions that keep me coming back every year.

The netting helps keep hungry birds away. This was not an easy shot to focus because the netting got in my way.

Each row of grapes is marked with a numbered post. I wonder if that’s to determine where bunches of grapes came from, The rustic shed is was what caught my eye, not the post.

Piedmont North Carolina

Landscape

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{Photos made with Fujifilm X-T100 camera with 35mm f/2 lens}

The “North” State is a location with very scenic terrain ranging from the Atlantic Ocean in the East to rugged mountainous regions in the West. In between it’s generally called the Piedmont, and this is where I live today, albeit in SW Virginia, just five miles from the NC-VA State-line. Large metropolitan areas such as Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and Charlotte add to the diversity of the state; however, this post focuses only on the rural nature of the Piedmont as seen through the lens of my camera.

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More about Early Spring

Close Up, Flowers, Landscape

Even after a spell of cold weather and a bit of wet snow, Spring is making itself known. Bradford Pear trees are flowering all over the Piedmont region of Virginia and North Carolina, and the Weeping Pussy Willow tree, which I planted two years ago, is showing why the tree has that name.

Sights in Small Town America

Landscape

Madison, NC. One of my favorite small towns nearby. Always find interesting photo compositions there.

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A Peek at the Peak

Landscape

As stated on the North Carolina State Parks website, “Since its creation as a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps project, Hanging Rock State Park has offered the best of a traditional outdoor experience with 73-site campground, picnic grounds, stocked lake for swimming and canoe rentals and more than 20 miles of hiking trails that climb onto spectacular views and weave alongside clear streams and waterfalls.” For me, the attraction has always been “hanging rock” cliffs and rugged trails that lead to great views of the surrounding North Carolina and Virginia Piedmont region. My age and weaker legs have prevented me from hiking and climbing today, but I have fond memories of once doing so on several occasions. It’s near Danbury, NC and is a jewel just waiting for fun and exploration. Here’s a “peek” of what gave the park it’s name.

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Lake Junaluska, NC

Landscape

Lake Junaluska, NC is beautiful. Anytime of year, such as in the Fall with colorful scenery (above) or along the shoreline during the summer with blooming flowers all around (below).

The lake is surrounded by mountains in Western North Carolina that rise upwards over 5000 feet. Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center surrounding the lake, first opened as a conference center of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 1913. The center is host to ministry events and concerts throughout the year and is open to the public for group retreats, weddings, reunions, family events and vacations.

Spectacular Fall in 2016

Landscape

The last time I was sort of overwhelmed with the beauty of nature all around me for a short period of time was when my wife and I visited Alaska. Everywhere I looked I saw a great “keeper” photo. The same thing happened to me a week ago when I was in the high mountains of Western North Carolina. The colors this year were spectacular. My camera lens smiled, as did I.

On Top of Mt. Mitchell, NC

Landscape

Mt. Mitchell,NC is, at 6684 ft, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. I’ve always wanted to go on top; now in my mid-70s via car, but when I was younger perhaps via foot. So, recently with my son-in-law and two grandsons, we did just that, right when the 2016 Fall colors were perfect … for us. Beauty all around. Just wonderful. This, my friends, is why I love making photos!

Maggie Valley is More than Mountains

Landscape

When most people go into Western North Carolina’s very popular Maggie Valley, they go because of the surrounding mountains and the activities so related. I agree that’s mainly why I like going there. As some say, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” However, I’ve found there is a lot of beauty, manmade and natural, besides the mountains that makes me want to come back more and more. The following photos I made recently may prove my point.