Carter Falls Elkin (lower), NC 0808

The air was thick with anticipation as dark clouds gathered in the distance. I stood at the edge of the river, ready to capture the majestic Lower Carter Falls, a hidden gem nestled in Elkin County, NC.

The falls cascaded down, with water plummeting into several pools below, creating mesmerizing views. I struggled to keep my lens clean as occasional raindrops fell, adding an element of drama and reminding me that my time was limited.

I hurried to set up my equipment as the first droplets began to fall, pitter-pattering on the foliage around me. I felt pressured to quickly adjust my composition and camera settings, ensuring I could capture the falls in all their glory despite the approaching storm. The soft rumble of thunder echoed through the valley, creating an eerie soundtrack for my photographic adventure.

Although the rain was sporadic, I continued to capture the falls, occasionally wiping raindrops off my lens to maintain clarity. Despite the challenging conditions, my excitement and passion fueled my desire to capture the perfect image. Finally, I felt content.

My wife helped me store my equipment before we started our trek back to the car, and just then, the sky opened up! The rain poured heavily, and the thunder intensified the moment. Navigating the slick trail to the car was tricky, but we managed to make it back, soaked but relieved.

We had intended to hike to the upper falls to capture the main event, but the storm persuaded us otherwise. As we began our drive home, we faced near-zero visibility at times.

Thankfully, we made it home safely, and I look forward to returning to Carter Falls to capture more images!