What to do on a Rainy Day

Take pictures, of course.  Of waterfalls.  So, that is what we did.  First up was the famous Multnomah Falls. You can see this fall from the road!  No one mile hike required to feast eyes.  Better still, it has a bridge midway so you can really feel like you are a part of the waterfall. Downside . . . this fall is very popular, gorgeous, easily accessible and therefore there are tons of people, a gift shop, a restaurant and little parking.

The bridge gives you some idea of scale.  The iconic shot would have someone with a red umbrella standing on the bridge so all you would really see is one red umbrella. Sorry, we did not make arrangements in time. So, you will just have to use your imagination.

Taken with Nikon D800.  Processed in Final Cut.

Next up was Horsetail falls.  By now we were into some serious rain. I held the umbrella for Tom and then he held it for me. The scene was remarkable and we wanted MORE.  More time, more shooting options and angles. More time to study, try a shot, waste a shot.  But the rain was relentless.  In fact, in the video below you can actually hear the rain hitting the umbrella!  We would like to go back and shoot this fall at a different time and we may be able to do that before heading home.

If you look very carefully, you will see that there are three sources for the waterfall. The first, of course, is the top stream.  But, right below it on the right you can see another source adding water. Then, further down on the left is one more source! I think this may be the factor that makes this waterfall so different. 

ISO 640, f/9.5, at 15mm with Sigma 15mm fisheye. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

Taken with Nikon D800.  Processed in Final Cut.

We finally gave up shooting due to the rain.  We checked in early and saw it as an opportunity to get some laundry done, catch up on editing and relax. The weather forecast is for rain all weekend but bet we can find something to shoot.

We hope our weekend is starting of in just the right way. 

One Day, Two Hikes and One Mountain

Super day!  We started off hiking Gorton Creek.  It is reputed to have a gorgeous waterfall but we took one path and it dead ended without the fall.  It was meant to be as this site has the reputation as 'difficult to access'. Intsead we slowly wandered along a path that was exquisite, so very green and full of growth.  There were several waterfall wannabes that were photo lovely.

Notice the pipe showing in the next photo.  It was spooky! First, I had no idea where the other end was.  I assume it was put in for drainage purposes at some point. Second, it was the source of this low, almost dijeridoo sound that I heard once in a while on the hike.

Taken with Nikon D800 and processed in Final Cut.

Wahclella Falls was up next. To reach it was a 1 mile hike from the trail head.  For us, with our gear, it was quite strenuous but we stopped along the way to take pictures. We were treated early on with a water stream that we could touch.

Photographically, this waterfall is a challenge. It is so strong and compact that it is easily blown out, even in the subdued light of the canyon. This next shot was taken before you can actually see the whole waterfall. Notice the small thin waterfall above the big one.  

Can't say that I like the DOF.  There are still some parts that are soft.  Really need at least 1/750 to stop a waterfall as strong as this one and the light just would not get me there.  Neither would my flash!!!  When I got home and looked at my metadata I realized that I had not changed my ISO!!  GRRRRR . . . . That could have saved this image.  I missed it.  And, I am not hiking back for it either!  Mantra: Check ALL settings. Check ALL settings.  Repeat.

Tom caught me. Now I realize that when I slide my camera belt to one side I create a bulge.  But, it gets the gear out of the way so I can operate the camera.  Adding me to the shot gives you a better idea of just how big this fall is.

This video is for my mom.  A whole minute!!  Two views.  Love ya mom!

Taken with Nikon D800 and processed in Final Cut.

In hopes of getting Mt. Hood in an evening 'glo' we drove 40 miles out of the way in getting back to our hotel. Clouds!  It was not until we got almost to the end of the drive that we could see any part of the mountain. This is not the best shot I could have hoped for, but am sharing it nonetheless.

A pretty good storm is expected for the area this weekend.  We are headed to Portland.

Have a great weekend. 

Mount Hood

When it rains in the morning, mountains beckon.  So off to Mt. Hood! The ski resorts are getting ready. Some plants showing fall colors. Every once in a while the sun peeked through clouds.  What a teaser that Mr. Sun is!! .

Along the road we saw many signs for fruit stands.  It is harvest time here and the choices are abundant. We spotted one stand with a huge flower garden.  That is where we stopped on the way back.  Could have spent the whole day there!  We each have hundreds of great photos of flowers, pumpkins, old stuff, the fruit stands, and even a few of baby goats.

Here is my observation. If I am busy photographing flowers (I could have stayed in this garden all day), Tom will find something to capture when he tires of flowers, which will not take long. He will capture something I did not even see. "Did you get the gas pump?" he inquires as we drive back to the hotel.  "What gas pump?" I reply.  This one.

The garden was just the perfect place to try out the 24mm prime.  In some ways, this specialty lens is loads of fun.  But to get the results I really want will take some practice.  Am getting better at it.

This is my candy corn photo.

Then, there was this stylized cat that showed up disguised as a pumkin stem.  Even has a scarf in prep for winter!

I mentioned the harvesting going on.  We found one area where the harvesting had not started.  We could not believe how laden down the trees were.  My goodness, I can only imagine their 'trunk ache'.

Finally, we were able to capture a couple of "not so good, but it is Mt Hood" photos. We hope to get better ones before we leave the area.

We are still having fun. Wish you the best day ever!