221/365
I could have made this one the normal height of a photo in portrait orientation, but it's 74.4 megapixels and there's just a ton of detail. If you click on it, you'll get the zoomed-out view of the whole thing from the bridge.
Waterfalls
Punchbowl Falls
Yesterday I did something I almost never do. I headed off into the Columbia Gorge Alone with my camera (maybe more than just one) and focused on nature. I took it slow, kept quiet and made a few photos that took some time to think through and put together. I like getting out there with other people, but there's a place for this too.
Splatter
65/365
I've stopped at this little shower so many times, but today the light was streaming though it just so. On our way back 20 minutes later the light was gone. Glad I stopped.
Down and Through
I was able to get out into the gorge with Dean, Roger and a bunch of kids on Sunday and even with all those kids and a rambunctious puppy, I got a couple good shots in. Thank you to Opal for holding Bailey while I composed this one.
I used the Olympus Zuiko, OM mount 24mm f/2.8 with a Neutral Density Filter.
Colder Still
I had a pretty long chunk of time off during the holiday season and though I was in perpetual new puppy mode for most of it, I did manage to get out into the elements with my boys and one of their friends for a cold afternoon hike to a new waterfall I hadn't been to before.
Dry Creek Falls is located a little over 2 miles from Cascade Locks on the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail winds through beautiful forest, around giant boulders and under a power line clearing. Contrary to the guidance given by many of the online resources, the trail is pretty straightforward.
I never did find a straight answer to the one question all 3 boys kept asking- "Why do they call it Dry Creek when there's always water in it?"
I don't know guys. Just enjoy it.
Frozen Waterfall Throwback
in 24mm, Sony NEX 7, Waterfalls, Snow
Now that we've officially moved into winter here in the pacific Northwest, I thought it appropriate to post something a little more snow and winter themed.
This image was made on February 7th this year when the kids and I went out for an epic day in the ice covered Columbia River Gorge. We hiked into Elowah falls that day and stopped at Horsetail and Multnomah on the way home. The hike was awesome, with nearly 2 feet of powder covering the trail. This is the thickest I've seen the ice, but I've heard about it getting even more frozen when the cold lasts longer. We've been out and seen some mild freezing over the last couple months, but I'm hoping for a good cold stretch in the new year.
Multnomah Falls can feel a bit pedestrian because of the large crowds and paved trail, but lest you forget about the power of nature, take a look at the bridge closely. It was shut down for a few months earlier this year when a falling rock took out a large chunk of it. It's fixed now, but I love that this image has that detail.
I also have an 12x18" print of this one I've been needing to get up on a wall.
Fairy Falls
in 24mm, Waterfalls, Sony A7
Yesterday the kids and I went on the wettest hike that I can remember. We visited a new waterfall called Fairy falls, which is a mile and a half above Wahkeena falls in the Columbia River Gorge. It's close to Multnomah falls and can actually be hiked as a loop when the trail isn't being repaired like it is at the moment.
I've seen quite a few photos of this particular location, but usually, they are from a time when the volume is much lower making the flow more delicate and letting more of the dark rock visible. I fully intend to revisit in the spring and hopefully do the whole loop. There a couple more sights on that loop that I haven't seen yet.
Ending the Fall
in 24mm, Waterfalls, Sony A7
This is another of my favorite waterfalls to visit when the temperatures plummet. Horsetail falls ends in a beautiful, clear pool right next to the Historic Columbia river Highway just a mile or so East of Multnomah falls. There's a heavy mist most of the year here, but when things are this cold, it slows down a bit and only flares up every minute or so.
If it's icy on the road, be careful in the parking lot as there's a little bit of a grade and all the 2wd cars have a rough time getting back out.