Hello everybody, I am back with another blog post and it is not white! I know, this is Buffalo and Spring does not come before April 15 and even then it can be a very hesitant arrival, however, it is on the way. And as the melting snow replenishes the local streams spring is a great time to see waterfalls in full flow if that is your preference.

As you may have noticed, there has been a pause in my posts. I've been trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore some new opportunities that I hope I will be able to share with you on these pages soon, but not yet. I am excited!

Papermill Falls SidekickLetchworth State Park Waterfall

Today's photographs are not fresh, they were both taken at the very beginning of fall 2014 as I was trying to expand my horizons and continue exploring new trails in Letchworth. They also allow me to continue the Mystery of Papermill Falls saga, and to put a happy ending to it. Well, maybe not a happy ending but rather a happy beginning as I really liked that area of the park and am sure I will be back there again, and again.

So why the jump from winter to fall? I feel these photographs are more about waterfalls than about fall as a season, and given the opening paragraph and the abundant supply of creek water at this time of the year I thought they would provide an inspiration for spring hiking.

If you've read The Seasons They Are a-Changin', Watching Time Pass or The Mystery of Papermill Falls posts, you know these photos were long coming too. It took almost a year and three separate expeditions to bring them back, and it was so well worth the effort. 

The first photograph is from the end of the hike, from the turning back point. To get there, we were creek walking up the Silver Lake Outlet flow. It was pleasant but the late season was obvious both in the air and in the water. For that reason I would recommend this hike during summer time. The lower portion of Papermill Falls had a main section, head on, a complete 90 degree drop off. However, there was little water. Another reason for an earlier visit. To me, the photogenic part was to the left, the more gradual but full of water sidekick waterfall. At the top, you can see how the water was shooting to the side forcefully rushing in, making a left turn, and very gracefully flowing down the rocks. The shallow spill area at the base and the log were a nice bonus I spent time fine tuning into the photograph.

Upper Papermill FallsLetchworth State Park Waterfall

The second photograph is from an earlier point of the hike while still on dry land. Alternatively, you can see it on the way back. I opted for both and stopped on the way down and back up. Based on weather and time of the day, the light you get may very dramatically with couple hours passing in between. On the way down, sun was still high up and was blasting the area with high contrast light and light spots so bright that a pleasing exposure was hard to get. On the other hand, as evening settled in and the sun disappeared over the high cliffs surrounding the gorge, light became more tamed, yet still directional. That was my choice.

Now here is one thing I rarely do but have been trying to remember more and more. As much as I like photography and make effort to capture the scene as complete as possible to provide a feeling of being there - usually only possible when viewing the photos on a very large monitor or print (remember, you can click on the photographs in my blog posts to see them larger in their gallery and then click one more time for an even larger full window view) - I still cannot fit in the breeze and the sound. Motion is a different story, that I can play with by choosing my shutter speed and freezing droplets of water in mid-air or allowing the flow blur into a smooth veil. But not the fresh breeze, not the hum of the water. That is where video has an edge. Sit back, relax, and get lost in the sound of the water for about half a minute. And the breeze? Well, you will need to turn on your fan.

Papermill Falls Sidekick VideoA Letchworth State Park Waterfall

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References: Letchworth State Park Trail Map - Scott A. Ensminger's Western New York Waterfall Survey - NY Falls - +David+'s Flickr page

More Waterfall Photos (click to see large and scroll through):

Taughannock FallsTaughannock Falls State Park, NY Eternal FlameEternal Flame Waterfall in Chestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, NY Sunrise over the Horseshoe FallsThe Horseshoe Falls, frequently referred to as the Canadian Falls, Niagara Falls Eternal Flame in WinterChestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, New York (NY), The Akron FallsLower Akron Falls, Akron, NY Sentry Bridge WaterfallWatkins Glen State Park Colden FallsColden, New York (NY) The Entrance CascadeWatkins Glen State Park, New York (NY) Cavern CascadeWatkins Glen State Park, New York (NY) Eagle Falls in Havana GlenNear Watkins Glen, Finger Lakes, New York (NY). Green Lake FallsGreen Lake in Orchard Park, New York (NY). Intimate American FallsAmerican Falls - Niagara Falls Lower Emery Falls in the FallEmery Park, South Wales, New York (NY) Eternal Flame FallsChestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, New York (NY). South Emery Falls in the FallEmery Park, South Wales, New York (NY) Frosty Horseshoe FallsThe Horseshoe Falls of Niagara Falls Full Wolf Moonrise over Horseshoe FallsHorseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, Canada The GlenWatkins Glen State Park Watkins Glen WelcomeWatkins Glen State Park Fall At Watkins GlenWatkins Glen State Park Lower Waterline Falls Letchworth State Park Fall at Smoke CreekGreen Lake, Orchard Park, New York (NY) Winter Roar at Akron FallsAkron Falls Park, Akron, New York (NY)