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Upper Tahquamenon Falls

 

Wagner Awash

After a week straight of rainfall at Porcupine Mountains State Park, the flooded Presque Isle River was a raging torrent on October 11, 2018. As I looked down from a bridge over the river near its terminus at Lake Superior, I was struck by the thought that the various paths the water was taking made the water look like angel’s wings. A 10-second time exposure helped me accentuate that feeling

 

 

 I had visited Bond Falls several years prior to making this image. I had been wanting to go back since I drove out of the parking lot on that first trip! Finally, I made the voyage back to the falls from my hometown of Custer, Michigan. I was eager to see the beautiful scene as I walked through the pathway from the truck. It was just as stunning as I remembered. Because of heavy rainfall in the area the week before, the falls were roaring. It was powerful, and I knew it could be dangerous if I got too close. I worked for an hour making images of the area around the falls. Then, I could focus on every inch of the falls themselves. I tried to think outside the box. As I worked my way up the falls, my mind kept coming back to this spot. I knew that I had to get as close as I could, while being safe. I got in position, and went to work. I was so excited with the image that I made!

How can one not bond with Bond Falls? I fell in love with Bond Falls the first time I visited there years ago. The magnificent Michigan Upper Peninsula waterfall has been drawing me back ever since. It was nearly dark already when my wife, Debbie, and I climbed the stairs to get to this spot during a September 27, 2013 visit. While my mind’s eye was yearning for more daylight, my tripod-mounted camera was able to accumulate enough light during a 30-second exposure to brighten the scene. The outcome from the movement of the water during that time made this my all-time favorite Bond Falls image.

 What better way to spend a beautiful fall day than traveling across Lake Michigan on the SS Badger on our way to shoot the vibrant color in the Upper Peninsula. Todd and Debbie Reed, Brad and Betsy Reed, Sarah Genson and I decided to have a fall get-away to the UP. It was a bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, and smooth sailing way to start our journey. We then traveled through Wisconsin towards the Porcupine Mountains. We knew we wanted to make a stop at Bond Falls, and the closer it got to dark, the more worried we were that we would miss shooting the sunset there. We made it, got our waterproof clothing on and hurried to the falls. It was a stunning experience and a great way to end our first day of shooting!

Falling Down

 I had planned a weekend trip to Munising, to travel and shoot the surrounding area waterfalls. While the weather was challenging for most of the trip because of down pouring rain, it helped bring out the intense green that only a spring rain can do! Miners falls had been on my bucket list to visit, and I had finally made the journey. Upon my arrival, I quickly realized that there was nothing Miner about it! Now, it is one of my favorite falls to visit. The hike through the woods to get to the falls is incredible in itself.

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

 

 

 

Fall Falls

 

Gerlach Workshop in Munising