More Springtime in the Smokies

I just made my reservations for Memorial Day week in Cherokee, NC. I was there last year, two weeks earlier in May. While it was somewhat productive for wildflowers, it seemed a bit too early. Any advice from folks about where to photograph that last week in May would be appreciated. I now have Netherton's book (thanks, Shun!) but current and personal advice is sought as well. Thanks all!

The spring season for wildflowers starts around April 15th in the Smokies. We like the very early season to photograph the first flowers that come up before the leaves are too big in the forest. On a bright overcast day you get great shots of trillium, blue iris, dogwood and many others. Towards the end of April/beginning of May you get Mountain Laurel, Azelea and a little later Rhododendron. Of course the blooming season starts first in the valley and moves up the mountains. Nice shots along creeks, like Deep Creek, Noland Creek from Bryson City. Don't forget the tripod for these great creek shots!

The book "A Guide to Photography and the Smoky Mountains" by John Netherton and David Duhl provides information concerning nature photography in general and shooting locations in the Smoky Mountains in particular. I find it pretty useful. This book was published in 1988 and is a bit hard to find, but it is available for sale at the Smoky Mountains Park visitor centers (at least it was in 1996). The ISBN is 0-9620582-0-3 and it is $17.95.