Picture of the Day - June 4, 2009

Snoqualmie Falls

Photo courtesy of Winston Rockwell.                (Click on the photo for a larger view) Once again Mr. Winston Rockwell has put his camera to good use, and the result is today's amazing picture of one of America's great waterfalls. Here is Rocky with his story behind the image: "Snoqualmie Falls is located just outside the town of Snoqualmie, Washington, about 40 miles east of Seattle. It's something of a local landmark, as the Snoqualmie River plunges 270 feet straight down into a deep pool carved in the native rock... that's a hundred feet higher than Niagara, and though this falls lacks the sheer size and majesty of the one in New York, it's still plenty spectacular when the river is running high with snow-melt, as it was this day. The hike from the observation platform above the falls to the shore of the river below is short but strenuous, and keeps the majority of tourists at bay. The shoreline is rocky, and as one gets closer to the falls, the rocks become wet with spray, so caution is the order of the day. I spent well over an hour here, snapping away, and as the sun moved lower in the afternoon sky, these rainbows appeared. I'd never seen a photo of Snoqualmie Falls with rainbows like these, so of course, I made sure to capture the moment! The building on top of the cliff is the Salish Lodge, a very expensive hotel and restaurant offering guests a view of the falls. It's a great place to take visitors from out of town... For this shot, I made my way as close to the falls as I could before the boulders became too hard to clamber over safely. The spray from the falls was so heavy that wiping the moisture from my lens was a frequent necessity. Taken with a Canon 5D and Tamron SP24-135 lens at 24mm, 1/160 @ f/11, ISO 400."    --Winston "Rocky" Rockwell You can enjoy many more of Winston Rockwell's wonderful photographs at www.northwestnaturalimagery.com.     Visitor Comments... Name: Justin Phillips Town: Newbury, VT Great shot Rocky! You can almost hear the pounding of the water as it crashes into the river at the base of the falls.     Name: Amanda Bowden Town: Marietta, GA I love this shot for several reasons. I spent a few weeks with a friend from Seattle two summers ago and we visited Snoqualmie Falls three times. It was an amazing sight to be sure, but the volume of water going over the falls was a lot less than we see in today's picture. And there was no rainbow either. Wonderful image you have there Mr. Rockwell!     Name: Jordon Stuart Town: Chico, CA This is a great shot, especially considering the difficult lighting. I'd really love to know how the photographer kept from blowing out the sky given the bright white of the water. I seem to fail miserably when it comes to properly exposing a scene like this. Outstanding job on a simply fantastic shot.     Name: Ron Trees Town: Spokane, WA Great capture Rocky!! I think this is one of the nicest pictures of Snoqualmie Falls that I have ever seen. The rainbows are awesome and this is the first time I have seen them. Very nice composition and exposure. This one is a keeper for sure!     Name: Phyllis Helton Town: Bristol, VA I would love to have a puzzle of this delightful photo.     Name: Gordon Brugman Town: Gatlinburg, TN Great shot, Rocky. Very good exposure control.     Name: Merle McVey Town: Bristol, VA Mr. Rockwell has again displayed his talent with the camera in bringing us this scene that God, through the works of nature has created for our viewing.     Name: Robert Schwarztrauber Town: Buffalo, NY One of the great gifts of the waterfall is her rainbows. To capture those rainbows against the waterfall itself is always a prize. Mr. Rockwell has really showed Snoqualmie Falls in her best light in this great photo. Even though I live just a short ride from the Mighty Niagara Falls, it's very difficult to get a shot of the falls from below. Access is quite limited and mostly covered in mist from its majestic power.     Name: Doug Thomson Town: Concord, NC, but still calls Saltville, VA home! Rick, I'm sure you've heard the saying, "There are angels among us." I think Mr. Winston Rockwell and Mr. Ron Trees just might be angels among us. Angels in the sense that God is reminding us all, through their photos, to slow down; enjoy the world around you; listen to the silence; listen to the sounds of nature; smile at a sunny day; smile at a rainy day; smile at a snowy day! We all know some personal angels and I thank God that these two are showing us the beauty of God's creation and that they can be shared through your website.   Comment on today's picture  |  View previous "Pictures Of The Day"  |  Submit a photo Why I publish the "Picture Of The Day"