Water Falling Over Things 2011: Part IV (A Gorge-ous Autumn)

[regnaD kciN]

It's been almost half a year since the last WFOT. Blame the screwy La Niña year, which has pushed everything out-of-sync. The high-water mark for falls came late enough in spring, or even early summer, that bright sunshine instead of contrast-aiding overcast was the order of the day. The same climate conditions, which had also screwed up the tulip festival season earlier in the year, also ruined any mountain wildflower shooting this summer; by the time the Rainier meadows reached peak bloom, the eastside road to the summit had already been closed for the year.

One of the rare advantages of La Niña, however, was that the same late-in-arriving phenomenon also applied to fall color -- while the leaves are generally off the trees here by Halloween, this year, there was still considerable color in the second week of November. If we still had color here in the Seattle area, I figured it would stand to reason that the same would be the case in Oregon, and reports I had from down there was that, indeed, autumn color was at just about peak. I'd always wanted to see if the Columbia Gorge waterfalls were as complemented by the turning foliage as I thought they might be, and my extended "shakedown cruise" for my new A77 gave me the perfect excuse to find out, even if it did mean getting up at 3:30 A.M. for the long drive down. (With a sunrise only coming at 7:04 A.M., and torrential rains due in around midday, I had a very short shooting window this trip -- far more limiting than my usual late spring visits, where almost sixteen hours of daylight are the norm. Obviously, this would be a hit-and-run visit; no hiking any of the creek trails to farther-off falls this time around.)

First stop was Latourell Falls. Fall color here appeared past-prime, so I didn't stay too long, just taking a "record shot" from the parking lot.




Second on the list was Shepperd's Dell Falls, where things were a bit more photogenic. Here is the upper tier of the falls, seen through the foliage...



...and here is the lower tier.




Wahkeena Falls has always been one of my favorite stopping places, and I was glad to see that it is even nicer-looking in autumn than in spring.




A bit of detail of Wahkeena Creek.




And some fallen leaves near the previous vantage point.






Multnomah Falls from a distance...



...and up close.




Horsetail Falls, as seen from the road...



...and from the plunge pool below the roadway.




And now, for something completely different...as the rain was still holding off, I headed for the Portland Japanese Garden, where we have the (human-made) Heavenly Falls.




And some more color from the garden...









...concluding with what could probably be titled "Water Falling Over The Shortest Thing I've Ever Photographed." Whatever it may be, it was a fitting conclusion to what, barring any further meteorological weirdness, will probably be the end of the 2011 photography (and WFOT) season.

[bluesbassman]

1. Stunning shots!

Absolutely stunning. Bravo. :thumbsup:

[ljm2002]

2. Wonderful shots...

...those just kept getting better and better!

[Mz Pip]

3. These are wonderful

I like them all. The garden has some spectacular maple trees. I envy people who live where Autumn happens in such splendor.

[trusty elf]

4. Gorgeous, indeed!

Thanks

[Callalily]

5. Such wonderful, wonderful

photos! Spectacular scenery and you did it justice with photographic expertise!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Wonderful, WONDERFUL!

How lucky you are to live within reach of such incredible scenery!

And to have the skill to capture the beauty...

Thank you.

If you ever produce a book with these (and other pics you've taken), I want one.

[tabatha]

7. Absolutely wonderful.

The retreat of chlorophyll has the most incredible beauty.

The detail and sharpness are outstanding. Nikon?

I think some of them are Nat Geographic quality. Hope you enter.

[regnaD kciN]

8. Thanks...

The detail and sharpness are outstanding. Nikon?

Sony. As noted above, the new A77.