Colorful Birch Tree Among the Pines of the Croatan Forest

A birch tree displaying stunning autumn foliage is surrounded by tall long leaf pine trees along the Neusiok trail in the Croatan National Forest. The little deciduous tree with it's bright orange leaves is framed by the trunks of towering pines in the foreground. This color photograph was made during a hike on Thanksgiving morning 2020 near this popular hiking trail's Newport river trailhead.

The Neusiok trail spans 21 miles across eastern NC, stretching between the Newport and Neuse rivers. There are three shelters along the trail, which is popular for overnight hikes. The Neusiok is part of the Mountains to Sea Trail that spans North Carolina.