Just another morning in Paradise . . .

Upload_4, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

. . . in Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at sunrise.

When my friend Eddie said, "Brenda and I are heading to the Cove at sunrise to shoot - who's in?", I said, "I am!" So I got some thermal underwear and heavy socks, and set my alarm clock for 5:00 am.

Yeah, it was cold - but you have to be ready to endure some hardship to get what you want. No, I didn't get the drop-dead-gorgeous shot of a 10-point buck, but I got to witness the majesty of the park before the tourists came in and spend time with some great people.

And as I see it, I'm just another day closer to bagging that buck with my Canon . . .

See more pictures here.