One of the first areas in the Southern Appalachians to attain color in autumn is Graveyard Fields in the Shining Rock Wilderness of North Carolina.
Experts attribute this phenomenon to a natural logging operation that scorched the earth almost 100 years ago, with the fields altitude of over 5,000 feet being another reason.
Graveyard Fields reputedly earned its moniker after the fire the day before Thanksgiving 1925, when high winds swept into the valley, toppling trees, leaving moss to grow over the fallen trunks, giving it a graveyard look.
That being said, crowds of hikers, bikers and onlookers visit the area for its color together with waterfalls on the Yellowstone Prong.
Many of the HoneyBadgerImages are on display at Thomas Mabry Art @ Banks Creek Barn.