Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. It is located on the American side (in New York State). Luna Island (on the left) separates it from the American Falls and Goat Island (on the right) separates it from the Horseshoe Falls (in Ontario, Canada). The bridge above the falls gives you a sense of the size of these “small” falls.
Bridal Veil Falls is similar in appearance to the American Falls, starting with a vertical fall of 78 feet (24 m), followed by the water violently descending the talus boulders to the Maid of the Mist Pool 103 feet (31 m) below. (from Wikipedia).
I took this photo on a sub-zero morning in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada back in December of 2007 just before I started this blog. I had to be careful getting down Clifton Hill as everything was ice covered from the water mist of Horseshoe Falls. Had to break the ice to find secure footings for the tripod I was using in Queen Victoria Park across from the American Falls. The exposure was for only 2 seconds but it still created a veil of water flowing over the drop. Very fitting for the name of these falls. I used my trusty Nikon D70 camera and Nikon 18-200VR DX lens to photograph this powerful and beautiful scene.
I found out this week I can create WordPress.com posts from my SmugMug.com account. This opens up my entire online catalog of photos for Thursdays. Stay tuned!
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Brrrrrr…. makes me wonder why you’d find yourself in such a very cold looking place!
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I was there to enjoy a festival of lights the evening before. As most photographers will tell you, to get a good photo, you have to be out during those magical times of the day around sunrise and sunset. This was taken around sunrise. When the light was trying to push away the gray of the clouds and mist.
Check out this link for more information: Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
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Great shot, but I have a question. I notice small red dots near the top in the middle; would you normally have erased those out?
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Those are lights from some structures just beyond the bridge. I suppose I could either crop them out or remove them. Do you find them distracting?
I will note at the time I processed this back in 2007, I had no clue as to how to get rid of them. I do now!
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That’s an awesome sight Scott! Yes, it pays to be out in all types of weather if the light is right!
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I sure does, Terry! The light was perfect as it looks as cold as it was.
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Impressive (albeit extremely cold-looking) place!
For me, the red light spots are a bit distracting, more so for the color. With everything else being cool tones, the warm lights pop and draw attention. I suppose you could go all mythical on us and say they were simply forest nymphs floating around and protecting the falls…. 😉
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Yeeeaaaahhhh, they were forest nymphs. 😀
This is a good example of being too close to one’s work. I do not notice the lights and had go back and look at the photo after Mitch mentioned them. I took the photo and I know what I was photographing. I certainly see how they could be distracting, now. Even if they are mythical creatures.
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Beautiful! I’ve been wanting to see Niagara Falls for YEARS, and can’t wait to visit some day.
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I hope you get there someday, Michaela. It is a natural wonder.
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This is a most beautiful waterfall. I like the way the ice gleams around it and the way the camera captured the falling water. We visited Niagara Falls years and years ago, when we were wee chicks, but all I can remember is chasing my brothers down motel hallways. So much for the waterfalls!
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Well, you should revisit someday. I bet you’ll come away with a much different memories. 🙂
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I visited the Niagara Falls in the summer of 1993, I remember it was beautiful but nothing comparing to this.
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Summer is so much different. The Sun is higher in the sky, air is warmer and the mist from the falls evaporates. Winter tends to grab one’s attention with its cold and bluish feel.
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This is a beautiful shot! I’ve never even been to New York and I don’t think I’ll go in winter.
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Winter has its beauty but I think you are making a good choice coming when it’s a bit warmer. 🙂
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Beautiful Scott. Good thing you didn’t slip while photographing this one. That’s something I would have likely done.
There’s also a Bridal Falls in Hope British Columbia. I visited it frequently when I lived there years ago. Being around falls can be so refreshing and uplifting. They are such a wonder of nature.
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Oh, I slipped a few times. Did not fall though. I had my photo equipment in a padded bag just in case.
Waterfalls draw people in. They are very restful to be near even as they are not. Awe of the power of gravity, water and size of Niagara is what I feel when I am there.
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