23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Oak in Cades Cove Fog

Hiking through Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this lone oak emerges from a sea of dense blue fog, its silhouette standing sentinel over golden grass fields. The mist-shrouded valleys and distant ridges create a veil of mystery, inviting travelers to explore the Smokies' hidden quietude—a moment where the ancient landscape reveals itself one breath at a time in the cool autumn air.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: None, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R100
Copyright: © Eric Seneca