I made a point to make my first visit to Compton Falls last week so that I would catch it as a double. I figured if it had been named after Neil Compton, it must be quite impressive. I was not disappointed. This was taken last Wednesday, one day after the heavy rain. I could see that the creek had been up at least another 1.5-2 feet the day before. The vantage point from which this shot was taken was a little spooky at first, but I got used to it after a few minutes.
It would be nice to see it when there is more green in the woods, but the orton technique helped add a little punch to the winter dullness. I think it might be a place worth considering for the gathering in April, since there are so many falls in the area, and lots of neat stuff once you get down into Whitaker Creek.
That is the spot where I fell over the bluff as noted in one of the picture books - it was almost my last photo ever! This only runs double after a really big rain like this, otherwise it is not too impressive. If you go back be sure to visit "Owl Falls" just downstream in the side drainage, and of course, the one upstream a ways that is named after my little girl, Amber's Falls.
I have been kind of surprised how LOW the streams are right now - even last Friday - after the big rain. All that water ran off in a big hurry and since I have two waterfall workshops coming up we need a lot more rain up here in the hills! Too bad we can't just recirculate it from the flooded lowlands...
OMG! I'm glad I didn't know that while I was there...my knees were feeling rubbery enough as it was. I can't believe you could survive a fall like that...that's incredible!
I did stop to visit Amber's Falls, both going in and coming out, but the sun was shining directly on it, and no clouds in sight so I just watched it for awhile. I had to wait an hour or so for a cloud to come along so I could get a shot of Compton Falls.
Which side gets you down to the creek from Compton Falls? I studied it quite a while from a seated position, and saw a few possiblities on the opposite side from here.
I'm sure the trees are starting to suck up a lot of the moisture now that warmer weather is here...
Gorgeous results with the Orton technique, or whatever else you used. Everything is so crisp I would have thought it was another method. It seems to me that once things green up, the view of the top of the falls would be blocked by leaves from that same vantage point.
Thanks, John. You're right, leaves will obstruct the view somewhat here, but it might still be worth looking at before heading down into the creek below.
Bill - see page 56 in the Arkansas Spring picture book - it is also written up in the Cloudland Journal but I don't recall what month or even year that was. The photo in the book was reversed for editorial reasons.
You can get down from both sides - if you just keep going downstream from this spot where you took the photo you will come to the little drainage that has Owl Falls right there - at least I think you can get down. For sure you can on the opposite side from that location - it is steep but really easy to get down - just sit down on your rump and you will be at the bottom in no time!
The first time I found this waterfall was on an icy January day - I mean bad ice. It took me a while just to get into the drainage, and then a long while more to work my way downstream - and then I heard the roar. Neil had told me about this waterfall when he spent the night at my cabin many, many moons ago. Said it was one of the greatest he had ever seen when it was running. But he was not certain exactly where it was or how to get there. I was bound and determined to find it, especially after he showed me his photo of it. I don't recall what led me into this specific drainage that day, but I was looking for the falls and hoped it would be there. Stupid me, when I found it I was on the other side of the creek from your photo, and instead of looking around for an easy route down I scrambled down the face of the bluff just a few feet downstream - solid ice - what a moron I was! If I had only gone another 100 feet downstream I could have found a safe way down, which I did on the way back out!
The next time I went back I took a real camera and made the photo that is in the Arkansas Spring picture book - that is the time when I fell over the edge. The next time I went back the photo was better. And the last time I was there a couple of years ago (with a camera, been there many other times) I made my best photo - this is one of those places you need to return to time and again, with camera or without! You can certainly feel the spirit of the legend himself while you are there.
By the way, Neil told me that he found some "cat scat" on his first visit to this falls and sent it off for ID and it proved to be cougar poop. That was back in the 1970s.
Beautiful image Bill. The orton effect really helps with the browns in the woods. I agree with your title waiting for green that's one of the reasons I didn't get out as much with this last big rain. You got some great images from it though.
Posted by Brad Mangas on March 27, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Very nice Bill. The color and look of the trees are great. The double falls are wonderful. Every time I see a shot from around that area it makes me want to get in my truck and head that way. But I guess I will have to wait untill our gathering. Not being from that area I don't know much history about the falls and how or who they are named after, I will find that interesting as well.
Thanks for sharing
PS. It was cool to hear about Tim's experience too. (tumblin over a bluff in Arkansas while hiking around trying to get some pictures, huh, who would of thunk. lol)
But seriously, glad he's ok.
Bill this is my all time favorite waterfall and I've been coming back here for 20+ years. The first time was one of those classic blunders that you read about and hope you never live through. I was on my first "Big" date with a new girlfriend and it was also the first time to navigate with map and compass, did I mention that the topo map was just a bad Xerox and I didn't know the scale! After probably 4 hours of not knowing where we were and not being sure of how to get out we came up on this from below. I still remember realizing this was a double falls and how beautiful it was. It all ended well as we did eventually get out, I learned to navigate by map and compass, and she eventually forgot the incident and married me anyway.
Tim E. is right, go about 150 yards downstream on river left and you will be able to work your way down fairly well. It is very steep but the footing is good and I've never had a big problem with slipping. What I find hard to belive is the vantage point you chose. I've looked for good spots on that side of the falls and have never liked any of them. I usually end up on the right side of your photo looking back at the falls.
Of course, spring greens are also the curse of waterfall photographers - once the trees begin to leaf out they will soak up billions and billions more gallons of water than when they are dormant and it will take a lot more rain just to keep them running even at moderate levels. That is one reason why winter waterfalls run the best. When we do get multiple-inch rainfalls then waterfalls will run nicely for a day or two. So the next time we get a big rain and it is green outside, time to call in sick instead of waiting for the weekend!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 28, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Bill, you've gotten some long comments here so I'll keep mine short ... LOVE IT!
Bill, This is another great shot, and kudos on your commitment to getting in position for it. The PP really does help with de-winterizing(?) the scene. Great job!
Discussion
13 repliesIt would be nice to see it when there is more green in the woods, but the orton technique helped add a little punch to the winter dullness. I think it might be a place worth considering for the gathering in April, since there are so many falls in the area, and lots of neat stuff once you get down into Whitaker Creek.
D2x
12-24mm
f/16; 1 sec.
That is the spot where I fell over the bluff as noted in one of the picture books - it was almost my last photo ever! This only runs double after a really big rain like this, otherwise it is not too impressive. If you go back be sure to visit "Owl Falls" just downstream in the side drainage, and of course, the one upstream a ways that is named after my little girl, Amber's Falls.
I have been kind of surprised how LOW the streams are right now - even last Friday - after the big rain. All that water ran off in a big hurry and since I have two waterfall workshops coming up we need a lot more rain up here in the hills! Too bad we can't just recirculate it from the flooded lowlands...
I did stop to visit Amber's Falls, both going in and coming out, but the sun was shining directly on it, and no clouds in sight so I just watched it for awhile. I had to wait an hour or so for a cloud to come along so I could get a shot of Compton Falls.
Which side gets you down to the creek from Compton Falls? I studied it quite a while from a seated position, and saw a few possiblities on the opposite side from here.
I'm sure the trees are starting to suck up a lot of the moisture now that warmer weather is here...
You can get down from both sides - if you just keep going downstream from this spot where you took the photo you will come to the little drainage that has Owl Falls right there - at least I think you can get down. For sure you can on the opposite side from that location - it is steep but really easy to get down - just sit down on your rump and you will be at the bottom in no time!
The first time I found this waterfall was on an icy January day - I mean bad ice. It took me a while just to get into the drainage, and then a long while more to work my way downstream - and then I heard the roar. Neil had told me about this waterfall when he spent the night at my cabin many, many moons ago. Said it was one of the greatest he had ever seen when it was running. But he was not certain exactly where it was or how to get there. I was bound and determined to find it, especially after he showed me his photo of it. I don't recall what led me into this specific drainage that day, but I was looking for the falls and hoped it would be there. Stupid me, when I found it I was on the other side of the creek from your photo, and instead of looking around for an easy route down I scrambled down the face of the bluff just a few feet downstream - solid ice - what a moron I was! If I had only gone another 100 feet downstream I could have found a safe way down, which I did on the way back out!
The next time I went back I took a real camera and made the photo that is in the Arkansas Spring picture book - that is the time when I fell over the edge. The next time I went back the photo was better. And the last time I was there a couple of years ago (with a camera, been there many other times) I made my best photo - this is one of those places you need to return to time and again, with camera or without! You can certainly feel the spirit of the legend himself while you are there.
By the way, Neil told me that he found some "cat scat" on his first visit to this falls and sent it off for ID and it proved to be cougar poop. That was back in the 1970s.
Thanks for sharing
PS. It was cool to hear about Tim's experience too. (tumblin over a bluff in Arkansas while hiking around trying to get some pictures, huh, who would of thunk. lol)
But seriously, glad he's ok.
Brad
Tim E. is right, go about 150 yards downstream on river left and you will be able to work your way down fairly well. It is very steep but the footing is good and I've never had a big problem with slipping. What I find hard to belive is the vantage point you chose. I've looked for good spots on that side of the falls and have never liked any of them. I usually end up on the right side of your photo looking back at the falls.
Bruce