Something I learned yesterday - all rainbows are double, or rather split in two, with the color wheel reversed. Here is a good example that I shot yesterday at the base of a new waterfall in the park service's Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area (as opposed to the much larger forest service's Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area - I wonder how many states have two different wilderness areas with exactly the same name?). You only see the other half of a rainbow when there is enough water vapor in the air I guess...So are there actually two duplicate rainbows always reversed and side-by-side or just one that is split in two?
Sorry for all of the posts lately, this will be the last one for a while. You can always go to the Cloudland Cabin Journal to see many more images of springtime in Arkansas as it unfolds. Hope everyone gets out this weekend to find some waterfalls, or blooming trees, or wildflowers!
It looks like the light was perfect for a rainbow while you were there - beautiful intense color development with the rocks behind in shadow. Nice work!
Can you give us an update on the redbuds and dogwoods in your neigborhood? Here in town, the redbuds have been beautiful all week, and the dogwood blossoms are just starting to open. Last weekend it seemed like east of here (Upper Buffalo area) the valley areas were looking pretty nice, but the ridges were still pretty much in the winter mode.
Still mostly brown all around here with a few trees beginning to show green. Redbuds are coming on but are not nearly as intense as they have been in towns. Dogwoods just beginning to appear, but mostly still just buds. Probably another week or two on the dogwoods - heck we still have popcorn trees and wild plum in bloom! The sunshine will hurry them along though, but the brisk temps may keep them slowed down.
Looks like Rainbow Falls will have rainbows all winter and into spring until leafon anytime it is flowing well. It is pretty high up in the drainage so takes a good bit of rain to get it flowing with enough force to produce the spray needed for rainbows - it is on the same bluffline as most of the waterfalls in the wilderness are, so when one is running, they all would be...
We are going to hit Smith Creek and Falling Water this weekend with the workshop crew early and late in the day, and will be hanging out at the computers during the harsh light of mid day feasting on the Cloudland cookies...
Posted by Jason C. Doss on April 11, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Which one do you follow for the pot of gold?
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 11, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I've seen and photographed a couple of double rainbows but I never noticed that the color patterns were reversed, interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Discussion
5 repliesSorry for all of the posts lately, this will be the last one for a while. You can always go to the Cloudland Cabin Journal to see many more images of springtime in Arkansas as it unfolds. Hope everyone gets out this weekend to find some waterfalls, or blooming trees, or wildflowers!
Can you give us an update on the redbuds and dogwoods in your neigborhood? Here in town, the redbuds have been beautiful all week, and the dogwood blossoms are just starting to open. Last weekend it seemed like east of here (Upper Buffalo area) the valley areas were looking pretty nice, but the ridges were still pretty much in the winter mode.
Looks like Rainbow Falls will have rainbows all winter and into spring until leafon anytime it is flowing well. It is pretty high up in the drainage so takes a good bit of rain to get it flowing with enough force to produce the spray needed for rainbows - it is on the same bluffline as most of the waterfalls in the wilderness are, so when one is running, they all would be...
We are going to hit Smith Creek and Falling Water this weekend with the workshop crew early and late in the day, and will be hanging out at the computers during the harsh light of mid day feasting on the Cloudland cookies...