PHOTO ESSAY Spring foliage from Cowee Mountains Overlook at Mile Post 430.7 in North Carolina. This image was taken one evening in late May when spring was still starting up at the high elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. From the photographer: " I waited until the light created backlit early foliage and just began to touch the foreground ridges for separation from the distant ridges and to help create a 3D effect. It was a beautiful evening with low wind and cool temperatures and the sarvis tree blooms were peaking. " PHOTO BY ROGER CANADA This sneak-peek ahead to the parkway's most colorful season was taken near Milepost 9 in Virginia. From the photographer: " This was one of my (drone) test shots while my engagement-session photo subjects were getting their dogs out of the car and climbing some rocks to get in position. " PHOTO BY JACK LOONEY 36 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COMhttp://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM