Winter Waterfalls

During winter it is often difficult to get out and photograph the wildlife, especially with the limited resources and time that I have. But that does not mean I have to sit idly by and wait for the warmer weather. There are plenty of places that can be just as exciting for landscapes in the winter snow that offers a different view and perspective than in summer.

With winter, the snow and ice can really add elements to the waterfalls you cannot see during the rest of the year. With the soft mist freezing onto the surrounding areas, ice shelfs form with chunks of clear ice that can be several inches thick. The mixture of frozen and flowing water is truly a sight to behold, and unlike summer it can only be seen in certain conditions even during the coldest of temperatures.

Even with the incredible views, the hikes to and from the waterfalls can themselves be much more of a challenge. With the sun unable to touch the trail, soft snow becomes hard, almost like the ice that is so appealing to look at. Slips and falls make for a more dangerous situation to and from the destination, having slipped several times to obtain these shot and landing squarely on my elbow, but the results and experience of the sights is well worth it.

I have hiked these waterfalls several times, and am thankful for the waterproof boots that I found. With the lower water levels of fall and winter, I have been able to traverse into the middle of the stream and position myself to get excellent shots that most people try to avoid. With the water only a few degrees above freezing, any slipup would be less than ideal without a change of clothing.

I will always enjoy these waterfalls, and plan on visiting several times during the year. I have seen them in a standard fall during the autumn months, and surrounded by chunks of ice several inches thick and yet able to see the branches and rocks beneath clearly. The elegance of icicles lined up in rows also adds to the beauty of the scene, reinforcing the time of the year.

I look forward to visiting these sites in Spring, when the frozen areas higher up the mountains will melt and the waterfalls shall show their true grandeur. But as with so many other things in photography, patience is the key. A time and a place for everything, careful planning, and sometimes even plain luck. But even those lucky shots will be useless unless you have planned for them and are prepared to engage the moment. A lucky shot combined with your skill will often yield excellent results.