Winter at Great Falls National Park

Just outside of Washington D.C. lies a treasure. Great Falls National Park is large park full of hiking trails, scenic views, picnic areas, and fishing spots. It is the perfect place for outdoor lovers and I particularly enjoy the Billy Goat Trail along the Maryland side of the falls. When you are in this park, you completely forget that the nation's capitol is just 20 miles away!

This is a beautiful place no matter the time of year. I am always astounded by the amount of water that flows through the Potomac and the power it gathers when forced down a small passage of river. The sheer rock formations and areas for rock scrambling give this place a majestic feel that makes it seem like you've stepped onto a set in a Lord of the Rings movie.

These are some images I grabbed while on a hike yesterday on the Maryland side. I got a few to show the wide angle expanse of beauty, but also focused in on the details, such as fallen trees, water bubbles, and the rush of flowing water.

Enjoy these images, and be sure to get out to enjoy the outdoors, no matter the season! This is a great time of year to visit Great Falls, the cold keeps the large crowds away!

We came across many downed trees along the Billy Goat trail, some likely from the recent flooding. These particular trees were high above the water lines, full of interesting textures and lines.

Without any neutral density filters to cut out light, I was maxing out the low end of my ISO and the high end of my aperture to achieve the shutter speed necessary to blur this water. I brought along my GorillaPod mini tripod for stabilization.

I have always enjoyed abstract art, and these three images are three random configurations of bubbles that were forming at the base of a stream riffle. It took a fast shutter speed to freeze the quick movement of the water!

Water in the C&O Canal was very still, giving perfect reflections of the bright yet bare tree trunks across the canal.

This is Robert, a mover in the MD area who I met along the canal relaxing with a short time of fishing. He told me it didn't matter much if he caught anything, he was out there to enjoy the outdoors and get away for a time.