Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Smoky Mountain Sunrise

Smoky Mountain Sunrise

(Click image to enlarge)

The Cherokee considered these mountains to be a sacred place. They referred to the area as “Shaconage” (Sha-Kon-O-Hey), which means "land of the blue smoke". That blue "smoke" can be seen in the more distant mountains in the photograph above. It is caused by volatile organic compounds that are given off by trees and other plants. The white clouds rising from the forest in the foreground come from a different source. As the air warms, moisture from a light rain the previous evening and dew begins to evaporate. When weather conditions are right the moisture forms low clouds that rise from the forest and rapidly dissipate.