Gifts of Spring: Palouse Falls State Park
A rainbow adorns Palouse Falls and river canyon - May, 2022.
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” — Hal Borland
Springtime is a time of renewal. The slow cold of winter is lifting, and signs of new growth are abundant. Bird songs, cherry blossoms, and shoots of every shade of green imaginable burst into view. It is a perfect time to be a photographer!
If you wait until June or July to visit the high desert region of eastern Washington, all the new green may have already faded to a golden brown. Early spring in the dryer climates is glorious. Wild grasses and flowers are a brilliant splash of color in an area that can appear bland most of the year. It was an incredible experience to take my mom on an adventure in these parts in the May of 2022. The new life of spring lifted the wells of our souls.
I enjoy spending my money on experiences over possessions. My mother is the same way. Luckily for me, she is also a photographer. I get to gift her with experiences I’m interested in too! It was my pleasure to take her out on Mother's Day weekend.
Kristine in her happy place - May, 2022.
We made our way across Snoqualmie Pass to the east side of the Cascade Mountains. I didn’t think it was fair to ask my mom to sleep in the back of my Prius, so I got a nice enough room at the Days Inn in Ritzville, WA.
Palouse Falls State Park and a sunset were our ultimate destinations. After checking in, we turned our attention to nature and photography.
If you’ve never seen Palouse Falls, it’s well worth the trip. It is fairly out of the way, so getting there can be a bit of a trek. We had to stay an hour’s drive from the park because of its remote location. The reward for the journey is a view of one of the most spectacular waterfalls you will ever see!
This incredible waterfall was created over 10,000 years ago from ice-age flooding. These flood water were so massive that they rerouted the Palouse river to the south. Before it joins with the Snake river, and eventually the Columbia, the river plunges 200 feet at the iconic state park.
A close up on the hills of the Palouse river canyon - May, 2022.
The best viewing areas of the falls and adjacent river canyon are a short walk from the parking lot. These well-worn footpaths soon added our soles to the mix. There is a lot of open space in this area, but the best camera angles are limited because of the contours of the cliffside. Yes, I said cliffside! There is no guardrail, and our tripods were right up to the edge. Luckily, no camera gear or humans were harmed in the making of these photographs 😅
A hawk floating on the wind - May, 2022.
We got into place well before sunset so we wouldn’t miss a thing. Spring temperatures aren’t always particularly warm, and it was in the 40s that day. The thing that made weather a bit more challenging was the 25-30 mph winds! We were glad to be bundled up. An incredible side effect of the wind was the playful freedom of the birds surfing on its invisible waves. I broke out my telephoto lens, and my attention was to the skies.
A hawk cries to the wind - May, 2022.
A sense of freedom is important to me. Hawks are special to me. Seeing these wondrous birds in their element was a marvelous and unexpected treat. I took way too many photos, and luckily, a few of them turned out nicely. The intricacy of their markings is stunning, and their calls to the wild are intimate and haunting.
A hawk floating on the wind - May, 2022.
Before we knew it, the sun was moving low on the horizon. We enjoyed a cocktail in the glory of nature, to warm the blood and celebrate life. Fully immersed in the fading of twilight, we fell silent. We were fully in the moment, soaking in the serene scene before us.
Palouse Falls and river canyon at sunset - May, 2022.
Everyone shares a bond with immediate family that is unique. My mother and I are very alike, as well as both being photographers. It is important to me to continue to get to know those I’ve already spent a lifetime with. I look forward to more adventures and everyday conversations with my mom. There are hidden gifts just beneath the surface of things, like spring bursting forth from the stillness of winter.
Clouds at sunset in Palouse Falls State Park - May, 2022.
Clouds at sunset in Palouse Falls State Park - May, 2022.