Yesterday was filled with errands so I was not able to get out and shoot and it left me nervous about being able to find some time in the mountains without getting too wet so I left early this morning with the Oakridge area in mind. It has been a very long time since I visited Salmon Creek Falls just a bit northeast of the town and I am not sure why it popped into my head last night as a place to visit but there I was. Not the most spectacular waterfall I have ever photographed but it does sit in a rather dramatic bowl that I think is very lovely and I am sure is a popular recreation site in the non-Winter months. I had the place to myself today.
The water is quite low right now due to the overly dry December we have had and as a result it is crystal clear. I got caught up in the patterns of the stream as it played across the bedrock and I think the image below shows the clarity and the beauty of the stream close up. Sure glad I beat the rain as the stream will get a little color as it rises.
Just above the main falls is a lovely canyon and as I was setting up and trying to compose an image the sun momentarily came through the clouds and lit up the tips of the conifers along the stream and resulted in some nice reflections in the pool. Seconds later it was gone.
After an hour or so I made my way back uphill toward the car and was just struck by the pattern and the freshness of this small group of ferns growing out of an decaying log along the trail. I love detail like this. Sure was nice to out and about again and to beat the promised rain.
