Taughannock Falls State Park

Saturday I drove down to Ithaca with the intent of visiting a few state parks. I assumed after my visit to Pixley Falls that there would be some good flow in the gorges in and around Ithaca. The forecast was for a partly cloudy day with a low chance for rain. I started my day at Taughannock Falls.

As I drove past the lower entrance I was surprised to see a fairly normal amount of water in the creek. I guess the middle of the state has had an earlier snow melt or possibly, this creek does not have the same amount of tributaries as the one feeding Pixley Falls. Either way, I drove up to the overlook location for a few images. I transferred one of the images to my phone and processed it with Snapseed and Prisma to give it a painted look.

Taughannock Art

After my obligatory post to my tens of fans on social media I started the walk up the gorge trail to the main attraction. There were only a few people on the trails but although the temperature was in the low forties, the gorge itself felt about ten degrees cooler. Luckily I was smart enough to bring my gloves since carrying the tripod does make my hands a bit cold.

At the end of the trail you are rewarded with a great view of the falls that are plunging from 215 feet above you. There was a slight breeze, I assume from the volume of the water, causing a mist to be working its way down the gorge. From the pedestrian bridge over the creek I was able to get a few images before everything started to get wet. The camera and lens are water resistant but why push my luck.

Without any of the color of spring yet visible in the gorge, or anywhere ese for that matter, I thought this image would look better as monochrome. I think it was a good choice. The details in the gorge walls definitely stand out…

Monumental
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 3.2s, 29mm, f/11, ISO 200