Download a licensed digital photo: pix4japan.picfair.com
Order a print: pix4japan.smugmug.com
Tateshina-Otaki Falls: Exploring the Emerald Waters Before Autumn’s Arrival
・
秋の前に訪れた、エメラルド色の蓼科大滝
- Location: Chino, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Timestamp: 09:39・2024/09/11
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP + 10-stop ND filter
- 28 mm ISO 100 for 1/15 sec. at ƒ/9.0
The Tateshina-Otaki waterfall is a popular destination for visitors and photographers, especially during the vibrant autumn season. However, visiting just before the arrival of fall’s onslaught of colors gave me the freedom to explore the waterfall at my own pace, experimenting with various compositions without the worry of interrupting someone else's shot.
The falls are easily accessible from the Pool Daira Parking Lot, with just a short 10- to 20-minute walk. The trail takes you through a section of the Tateshina-Genserin Primeval Forest, skirting the shoreline of the Takinoyu River, which flows downstream from the falls.
This ancient forest is abundant with old-growth trees, their contorted shapes and immense age calling for quiet reflection. I found that what should have been a brief 10-minute walk stretched longer as the forest invited me to pause and wonder about the forces that shaped these trees.
Standing at about 25 meters tall (82 feet) and 10 meters wide (32 feet), Tateshina-Otaki is one of the largest waterfalls along the Takinoyu River. Despite its relatively modest size, the waterfall's charm lies in its serene setting.
The cool mist rising from the falls settles on the nearby foliage and coats the exposed rocks in glistening droplets, transforming the amphitheater of stone into a living spectacle of olive-green moss. The cold, hard surfaces of the rocks, brought to life by this moisture, become miniature worlds of thriving life.
The deep, crystal-clear emerald pool below the falls immediately reminded me of the tones and hues I had seen just hours earlier at Mishaka-Ike Pond (see earlier posts) during this same photo shoot. The resemblance between the two places was striking, though each had its own unique character.
Though the falls offer a covered viewing point nearby complete with benches and a table, it was hard to resist the temptation to explore further. Should you, like me, decide to venture closer even downstream into the flowing stream, be sure to wear proper footwear and take extra care—the wet stone surfaces can be quite slippery.
References:
Copyright Notice for All Images:
© 2011-2024 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized use for AI training is strictly prohibited.
Visit www.pix4japan.com for prints and licensed download options.
No comments:
Post a Comment