johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Ok, so I guess it is technically a waterfall even though the flow is really more like a stream that lost it's way into a sinkhole. And if we are putting it all out on the table, this waterfall is neither hidden nor a secret.


Last weekend we took the kids on a mini tour of some state parks along the I-10 corridor on the Florida Panhandle. Falling Waters State Park was our 2nd destination and has some decent nature trails that are fully built up and accessible for those who do not want to get their shoes dirty. Although it was much fancier than my home parks (Tarkiln Bayou and Big Lagoon State Parks), we still enjoyed the beautiful weather and struggling waterfall.

We also visited Ponce de Leon Springs SP and Florida Caverns SP, both of which have their own stories and tales to tell, but unfortunately not great photos to share.....Enjoy!


The setup:
There were two vantage points that where designed for viewing the waterfall. The upper deck for some great higher perspective shots, and the lower viewing deck which is where this scene was set up from. The sun was mid-morning so still very directional on the upper face of the waterfall, which created interesting shadows below that I though would had more interest to the composition and help focus on the over done water smoothing long exposure effect. I tried many variations on shutter speed to find the sweet spot to capture the water, but all in all I picked this one at 210 seconds because a) there wasn't much water falling, and b) I am still a sucker for that over-smoothed almost ethereal look.


* Editor: Darktable
* Filters: Wine Country Camera (CPL, ND 10 + 3, Grad ND (I believe soft edge..can't remember)
* Tripod and Remote shutter release.
* Lots of yelling at the kids to stop jumping off the stairs onto the viewing platform (It really was not designed for long exposure photography)





Low Flow Waterfall by Tony H, on Flickr

13 Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what

Very nicely done!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice shot.

Been to both Ponce de Leon Springs SP and Florida Cavern SP.
The caverns were MANY, many years ago (1980?), but we made regular visits to de Leon Springs! Ate breakfast at the mill many times.
(We lived 45 minutes south of de Leon.)

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Thanks 13!

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Very Nice Photo. The Bluish color of the water adds real Life to your fine image. Sounds like your surrounding distractions did not stop your complex image capture. Good Job.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Much appreciated LS!

I absolutely love the landscape of that entire area of Florida. In my opinion it is the most beautiful part of the state. We didn't stay long at Ponce de Leon because my youngest was the target of every flying bug in the park
But we did head a couple minutes away and spent about an hour or so at Morrison Springs (some photos coming soon).

Florida Caverns was hit hard by Hurricane Michael a few years ago, and even though the caverns are fine, the surrounding landscape almost looks like a war zone with fallen trees. It was sad to be a witness to some very old growth gone from just one storm. But we will continue our tour of this great state and keep checking out new parks and re-visiting some of our favorites for sure.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

Interesting, I didn't think there was any place high enough in FL for a water fall.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Thank you Silverman. I see you picked up on the color of the water and appreciate the comments on it. That is a combination of the sunlight angle, long exposure, and some tweaking in post to pull a little more color out of the water to emphasize it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

None in peninsular Florida.
I believe the panhandle has the foothills of the Appalachians. Very hilly.

greenwork Loc: Southwest Florida

Waterfall are subtle in Florida. Our highest point doesn't even qualify as a foothill most anywhere else. We have hills around Clermont (west of Orlando). Nice capture of "Root Beer Falls". Makes it look pretty grand but for us flatlanders it's still just a taste!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I climbed Mount Dora!

Maybe the "toes" of the Appalachians in the Panhandle, not the foothills???

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

lovely!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

It's a really nice image no matter how you label it.

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Excellent image, hidden or not, nicely captured!
Rob

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Really nice Tony!