Behind the Lens – Capturing Fall Colors | By Local Photographers

SKIP SICKLER

LYNN WILLIS

Photography Capturing the Season

MIKE KOENIG

For our Autumn issue, CML collected some of our

favorite local photographers’ autumn shots and asked them to

share with our readers, in their own words, a “back story” behind each of these spectacular images.

SKIP SICKLER

n A Window of Change It is said these southern mountains are some of the oldest ones on the globe. Once towering mightily over the land, slowly over time, wind and water, and human impact, have taken their toll, and the land has slowly transitioned in character. Human habitation of the southern highlands has also undergone metamorphosis. An abandoned farm shed, once buzzing with human activity, displays its eventual decay. Framed within its window is a display of natural progression, as the invading vegetation moves toward its own period of transcendent rest afforded by the upcoming winter. n Find Skip Sickler’s work at the BE Artists Gallery in Banner Elk, at https://skipsickler.zenfolio.com/, and on Facebook.

LYNN WILLIS

n Rock Reflections at

Headwaters Lake

(Taken on October 18, 2019 with a Nikon D750) While attending a fall photography workshop with Julian Charles Photography, I had ample time to settle into my surroundings and capture some images at the Headwaters private community between Creston and Todd in Ashe County. It’s enjoyable and conducive to getting some great images when you have three days set aside with a priority on learning, sharing, and shooting photos with others. Even as a pro photographer myself, I always learn something and get inspired by the other participants and the instructor. n Find Lynn Willis’s work at www.HighSouthCreative. com, and on Facebook @ High South Creative, LLC

SALLIE WOODRING

Please Note: All images are copyrighted by the photographers and may not be reproduced without permission from the photographer.

WILLIAM MAUNEY

MIKE KOENIG WILLIAM MAUNEY n Doupnik Family Photo n Watauga Bliss

The Doupnik family crossing the bridge at Sailing on a crisp fall day in October at

Linville Falls visitor center. The Linville Falls Watauga Lake with my first mate, Avery, visitor center located at milepost 316 offers the Golden-dor Retriever, is perhaps access to popular trails like Erwin’s view, the best way I’ve found to unwind and gorge view, upper falls, and plunge basin, relax. The Watauga Lake Sailing Club holds just to name a few. The bridge in the photo regular regattas each season and fall is is just steps away from the paved parking my favorite time of year as the changing area just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. leaves create spectacular views of the through the lens Cherokee National Forest. Avery is right at home on a boat. He and I both started sailing at a young age. The Sailing Club offers lessons and opportunities to crew during races at Lakeshore Marina. n Find Will Mauney’s work at www. williammauneyphotography.com and William Mauney Photography on Social Media. There are restrooms and a visitor center with knowledgeable staff to answer any questions you might have. n Find Mike Koenig on Facebook at Mike Koenig Photography CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE Autumn 2021 — 49

SALLIE WOODRING

n Beech Buck This image was captured on Beech Mountain in a resident’s back yard. Deer on Beech Mtn. are plentiful due to hunting restrictions. Many of the town’s residents feed the deer and they are almost tame. On this October afternoon, this beautiful buck was playing hide and seek with me behind a tree. It was an incredible image in the fog! n Find Sallie Woodring’s work at https:// salliejwoodringphotography.zenfolio.com.