Waterfalls

By definition, a waterfall is: a cascade of water falling from a height, formed when a river or stream flows over a precipice or steep incline.  It doesn't really matter how high it is, whether it's a few inches or a few hundred feet.  It is a mighty force.  It can carve and shape rock.  It demands attention.  This is why I like to photograph them.

French Canyon Falls

Wildcat Canyon Falls

Lasalle Canyon Upper Falls

Same Waterfall as above

Again, same as above, but shot from behind.

Most waterfalls that I like to shoot are much smaller than this though.  Only a few inches to about 2 feet high.  There's a lot of character to these mini's.  They're not as powerful, but in a way they're better.  Have you ever sat and just listened to one of these?  They lull you to a peaceful place inside.  They're calming.  They're refreshing on a hot summer day.  Thy're a new kind of wonder deep in the winter when they're encapsulated in ice.  There are many more of these than the massive kinds like Niagara, the Angel, and the Copper Falls of Northern Wisconsin.  This makes them more personal.  Exclusive.  Private.  Most people haven't laid eyes on these.

One of the falls on Reed's Creek in Vernon County

Another of the Reed Creek Falls

One of the Awesome Creek falls

Harrington Beach Quarry Falls

These I will keep shooting.  These are a treasure to find, similar to hunting morel mushrooms in the spring.  Also, different weather brings them out such as spring melts and floods.  These are made out of nowhere, which is a good time to go hunting these.

Awesome Creek courtesy of Val Ewing

Of course, there are always those magical times where the bigger ones just have to be shot too...

One of my favorite shots.  This is the water fall at the bottom of the Sylvan Lake flow in Custer State Park, South Dakota

Our first trip to Starved Rock State Park in Illinois - Part 1

I crave adventure.  I crave a great place to hike through and bring my camera.  I like finding places that I can use my tripod every now and then, mostly for longer exposures.  I found one. A new one where I didn't spend as much time as I'd like, but isn't that the fun of it?  Planning more trips back?  Taking my time in savoring the scenery slowly and then eventually going back for seconds, thirds...

Our first trip here.  We've only seen pictures.  All we knew was that it was free and about a 2.5 hour drive into Illinois (avoiding tolls).  We showed up at the flooded visitor center and drove uphill a ways to get to the lodge parking lot.  I did not get pictures of the lodge, but it's a beautifully crafted log structure, huge in scope inside and out.  I got a trail map from the gift shop and a few hiking stick medallions.  I asked the cashier what were the best trails to really make an great first impression.

The first trail we took was the French Canyon trail, which is a one way trail, not a loop, like most of them.

The first waterfall at the French Canyon entrance

 Walking up after the first waterfall in French Canyon

The main French Canyon waterfall

Ok, I'm impressed.  This is just the first and she circled 6 of them.  I spent so much time on just this first one, I don't thing I'm getting to all of them today.  I was taking upwards of 90 second exposures with all of my filters on and self timing them.  After the shot, it takes awhile for the camera to put all the information into picture form, which is about the same amount of time as the shot itself.  Anyway, off to the next Canyon, Wildcat.

Wildcat Canyon, the view from the top of the rim.

Walking into the canyon after the long climb down.

The waterfall at the back of Wildcat Canyon.  Not sure why there's a tire in there, but it adds a focal point for the camera.  Another 75 second exposure.

Anyway, these are just 2 of the 18 canyons that are here and 14 of them have waterfalls in them.  I will be exploring more of these later., that is for certain!