Three Tips for Better Fall Photographs

Though digital cameras are technologically impressive, none of them can capture a scene as well as the human eye and mind working together. Aware of the limitations of their technology, camera manufacturers have added features to compensate for them. In this article, I offer three tips on how to use these features to improve the photography of the brilliant colors of fall. To illustrate my tips I will refer to a photograph I took in the Fall of 2012 at the New River Drys. 
 

Briery Knob

Tip #1: Experiment with the White Balance. 

White balance settings on your camera compensate for the kind of light illuminating the scene you are shooting. As evidenced by the color of the sky, a sunny day sheds a lot of blue light. Your eye working with your mind automatically tones down the excess of blue light in such a way that a white object will still appear white to the eye. But a camera does not do this. It simply records without bias the colors of light hitting its sensor. 

Example Photo

If your photographs have a blue cast to them or if colors look duller than you remember them, experiment with white balance. The menu choices for white balance vary among cameras, but for outdoor use most will offer selections such as: Auto, Daylight (Sunny), Cloudy, and Shade. When shooting a fall scene, I suggest you take a photograph from the same place using each of the white balance settings on your camera, including auto, and compare the results to what you see. Then choose the white balance that best represents what you’re seeing. Because lighting changes, periodically check your white balance. In the example photograph above, even though I checked other white balance settings, I chose auto.

Babcock State Park

Tip #2: Experiment with Exposure Settings. 

Exposure settings control the amount of light allowed to make each image. Under-exposed images are excessively dark and detail is lost in shadowy areas. Over-exposed images are excessively bright, and colors can appeared washed out, meaning overly white and lacking in full rich color. In my opinion, the bright colors of autumn leaves are more frequently over-exposed than under-exposed. 

Highland Scenic Highway

Therefore, I intentionally under-expose shots of brilliant fall color. Many cameras automatically determine the exposure, but include a feature to manually change it. Exposure can be adjusted by the EV settings (Exposure value). Generally EV settings start at 0 and can be adjusted up or down in units of 1/3. Increasing the EV by +1/3, +2/3, or more brightens the image. Decreasing the EV to –1/3, -2/3, or more darkens the image. To take the sample image, I adjusted the EV down to –1 1/3 because of the bright conditions. I was facing the sun, and light was reflecting off the water. Decreasing the EV also made the sunlit leaves stand out by darkening the areas surrounding them.

Highland Scenic Highway

Tip #3: Use Backlighting to Brighten the Leaves. 

As fall progresses, leaf colors fade. To squeeze the last drop of color from the leaves in the example image, I chose to photograph them with backlighting, which means “to light from behind.” In nature photography the sun is the primary light source, therefore, to backlight autumn leaves keep them between you and the sun. With backlighting even fading leaves are brighter, more colorful, and often appear to glow. 

Dolly Sods

Fall colors are fleeting, and memories fade. But a good photograph is lasting.  I hope these tips will help you preserve the beauty of autumn foliage for many years to come.

Germany Valley Overlook Cabins

Germany Valley Overlook Cabins—the name says it all. The views are spectacular. Softly lit morning skies, dazzling afternoons, and stunning sunsets, come standard with each cabin. Nestled in the mountains of Pendleton County near Franklin, West Virginia, Germany Valley Overlook Cabins offer a distinctive lodging experience. 

Germany Valley from North Fork Mtn

Lovingly built in 2005 and 2006 by owners and operators Bill and Luci Raines, each cabin has a unique floor plan. Cabins 1 through 3 are log cabins with vaulted ceilings, wood interiors, and hardwood floors. Cabin 1 was assembled with logs from a neighbor’s small sawmill. The Raines designed and built this cabin inside and out from plans Luci sketched on graph paper. As the smallest cabin, its 900 square feet sleeps a maximum of six. With 1400 square feet, Cabin 2 is the largest cabin sleeping a maximum of nine. Cabin 2 features a cherry log staircase railing that the Raines hand-peeled from logs from their farm. The interior walls of Cabin 3 are built of white walnut, knotty pine, and bull pine from lumber salvaged from a house scheduled to be torn down. Cabin 3 offers 954 square feet, sleeps up to ten, and is wheelchair accessible. 

Cabin #3

The Lookout Cottage

The newest addition to Germany Valley Overlook Cabins only adds to the uniqueness of the lodging. Built in 2014 on a portion of the property called “Picnic Ridge,” Cabin 4 is appropriately named the Lookout Cottage. It’s a two story structure designed and built by the Raines to resemble a fire tower, and it functions like one, too. Sitting on the highest portion of the property and sporting a covered deck surrounding the second story on three sides, the Lookout Cottage is tailor made for soaking up the panoramas of pastoral Germany Valley. It sleeps up to six lucky people. 

The Lookout Cottage

Spread out over 170 acres of pasture and woods, each cabin is private. All you see is nature, and plenty of it! The cabins are furnished with all the comforts of home, including a fully-equipped kitchen and a full bath with a shower. There’s electric heat, air conditioning, satellite TV and, depending on the cabin, a gas fireplace or a wood-burning stove. Outside you can stretch your legs on a full-length porch, fire up a charcoal grill, picnic, or build a bonfire in one of the fire pits (ax and wood provided!). "We appreciated all the little details of comfort in addition to the amazing views,” is how one guest described the thoughtful extras provided by Bill and Luci.

View from Cabin #3

Recreation Opportunities Abound

Despite the privacy and seclusion, Germany Valley Cabins are not isolated. The cabins are well situated for a wide variety of outdoor recreation. For hikers, the trailhead to one of the most scenic trails in West Virginia, the North Fork Mountain Trail, is a mere ½ mile away. Seneca Rocks, a scenic icon, is just 15 miles away. It’s a haven for rock climbers and sports a hiking trail to the top of this imposing 1000-foot cliff. Adventure seekers might also enjoy the family-friendly Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center (NROC). Only four miles from the cabins, NROC offers zip line canopy tours up to a mile long and a unique climbing route called Via Ferrata, a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-guided rock climbing. If you prefer your adventure’s underground, Seneca Caverns, just six miles away, offers tours of its expansive limestone caves. Smoke Hole Caverns is about 28 miles from the cabins. 

Cabin #3 Interior

You’ve also got whitewater rafting, canoeing and float trips available some 38 miles from the cabins. If you prefer a more relaxing way to see the countryside, three scenic trains are close by. The Potomac Eagle Modern scenic train station is 38 miles away; The Cass Scenic Railroad, featuring vintage steam driven Shay locomotives, is 40 miles from the cabins, and the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad is 31 miles away. A little farther out, about an hour’s drive, are Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Parks, the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, the Smoke Hole Recreation Area, and Spruce Knob (the highest point in West Virginia). In the winter, downhill and cross country skiing, tubing, snowboarding, air boarding, and ice skating are all available in Canaan Valley.

Cabin #2

Germany Valley Overlook Cabins offer much to travelers and vacationers: modern, deluxe accommodations in rustic log cabins, glorious views of the great outdoors, seclusion, and yet easy access to a variety of West Virginia’s finest recreational opportunities. A guestbook entry sums it up best: "Beautiful! Have now stayed in all 4 cabins. Each one unique. Each one with a slightly different view of the valley. Each is fantastic."

Germany Valley

For reservations or more information call 1.800.481.5680 or go online at German Valley Cabins.

Where to Go for Early Autumn Color in WV

Every year anticipation builds as fall approaches. Autumns can be glorious in West Virginia as leaves turn from green to gold. And every year we wonder what kind of a year will it be for color. Although much is known about why leaves change color, every year is different. So it’s difficult to predict how vivid the colors will be and what the timing will be. But here are some rules of thumb for where to best appreciate the first colors of autumn in West Virginia.

Highland Scenic Highway - 2012

Highland Scenic Highway

Leaves first start changing color at high elevation, so it’s best to start in the highlands. Although it varies yearly, fall foliage colors generally peak at high elevations in the last week of September to the first week in October. The Highland Scenic Highway (SR 150) is generally radiant with fall colors at that time of year. The Highway runs along the spine of the Allegheny Highlands in Pocahontas County, reaching more than 4,500 feet in elevation on Black Mountain. I like the Williams River Overlook for a panoramic view of fall color. About three miles north of the Big Spruce Overlook, you’ll find a host of brilliant red maples lighting up the hillside. 

Highland Scenic Highway - 2012

Summit Lake

Summit Lake (elevation 3,388), just 10 miles outside of Richwood on SR 39, is another early autumn venue for leaf color. Hillsides of brilliant color reflect in the lake, making an autumn paradise. Golden aspen trees line the trail to the fishermen’s dock. Summit Lake is a must for early fall color odysseys. It peaks about a week after the Highland Scenic Highway. 

Summit Lake - 2012

Blackwater-Canaan Area

Blackwater Falls State Park is another fall color hot spot. Particularly nice is the view of the Blackwater Canyon from either Lindy or Pendleton Points. Highway 32 south of Davis as it ascends to Canaan Heights often has spectacular fall colors. For that matter don’t forget Canaan Valley. The Beall Trails in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge are good for color. And I would definitely take the Scenic Chairlift Ride at Canaan Valley State Park. 

Blackwater Falls - 2008

Dolly Sods

At 4,000 feet in elevation the color change occurs early at Dolly Sods in Tucker County, too. Although the trees at Dolly Sods can be beautiful, the main attraction is near the ground. At Bear Rocks at the north end of forest road 75, the blueberry shrubs that carpet the earth turn a brilliant red. Acres and acres of scarlet earth--it’s a sight to behold!  

Canaan Valley - 2015

Snowshoe Mountain

There are couple of places in the highlands of West Virginia that I haven’t seen in the fall, but can recommend anyway. One is Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Pocahontas County. At elevations of 4,800 feet, fall arrives early and in glory at Snowshoe judging by some photos that I’ve seen.   

Dolly Sods - 2008

Spruce Knob & Lake

In western Pendleton County, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia (4,863 feet). Leaves will turn quickly at that elevation. A fisherman friend of mine likes Spruce Knob Lake for autumn colors. Standing at 3,840 feet in elevation, it is the highest lake in West Virginia. In the autumn the lake is encircled with slopes of reds, golds, and yellows. 

Dolly Sods - 2015

Well, I’ve tried to hit the high spots (pardon the pun) of early autumn color in West Virginia. If I’ve missed some places, please leave a comment. In another post, I’ll mention some places in West Virginia that hit peak color in mid to late October. 

An Eye in the Sky:Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

If you like mountaintop panoramas and vistas packed with receding ridgelines, you’ll love the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory (HRRO) in Monroe County. Perched atop of Peters Mountain on the Eastern Continental Divide, the HRRO has a 360 degree unobstructed view of the mountains and valleys of southern West Virginia and Virginia. Fifty miles to the east, the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway are visible. Looking north, Cold Knob and the Beech Ridge Wind Farm in Greenbrier County, though 40 miles distant, are clearly seen. And the verdant valleys of Sweet Springs and Potts Creek stretch out for miles on either flank of Peters Mountain. 

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

 Though the views are truly telescopic, there’s more to see at Hanging Rock. It’s a raptor observatory after all. “The 52-mile long mountain, among the longest in the Appalachians, helps produce thermal air currents that give migrating birds the lift needed to glide across vast segments of land while expending small amounts of energy” (Kenny Kemp). On a good day more than 500 migratory hawks can be spotted. Rarer but still seen are eagles, ospreys, and falcons. 

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

Counts of sightings of each species are meticulously maintained by volunteers who generally begin their watch in mid-August and end their work in December. Rodney Davis, a friendly volunteer we met while visiting last Thursday, told us that Mid-September is the busiest time for that’s when hundreds of Broad Wing Hawks migrate daily across Peters Mountain. October, he said, is prime time for eagles, which have been increasing in number in recent years. Mr. Davis also maintains the Observatory’s Website and Facebook Page. 

  

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

The history of the HRRO dates back to the 1930s when the State of West Virginia built the observatory as a fire watch tower. “In 1972, it was abandoned when planes took over the job of spotting fires. The Handlan Chapter, Brooks Bird Club, along with hawk watchers in Monroe County, took over its maintenance and upkeep” (George Hurley). Though vandals burned down the observatory in February 1996, the present structure was rebuilt according to the original plans provided by a local resident and was dedicated on June 10, 1997.

Inside the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

With all to see at the HRRO, it’s worth a little effort to get to it. Fortunately, it’s only a 0.9 mile hike from the Trailhead parking (GPS: Lat. 37.509877, and Long. -80.438039). The trail follows a ridge line uphill and gains 380 feet in elevation. It’s rocky in certain stretches, but is well worn and easy to follow. In the fall wood aster and goldenrod line this forested trail. All in all, it’s a somewhat strenuous but enjoyable hike.

Hanging Rock Trail

Driving to the HRRO is not difficult either. In fact, it’s a downright pleasant jaunt through rural countryside lined with lovely farms and fields. From the west the tower is just 14 miles from Union, WV, and 12 1/2 miles from Rock Camp, WV. (See map for roads and mileages). From the south, it’s just 5 miles on Limestone Hill Road from Waiteville, WV. 

Map to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

Rural Roads on the way to Hanging Rock 

Balanced atop a 3,812-foot-high peak in Monroe County, the HRRO has much to offer—unsurpassed vistas coupled with a unique opportunity to observed raptors in the wild. It deserves to be on every nature lovers bucket list. 

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

  

Adventures for Hikers on the Gauley River: A Tunnel, a Trestle, and a Waterfall

Adventures for Gauley River hikers don’t end at Laurel Creek Falls. Much more excitement lies ahead. Continuing 0.2 miles down the road takes you to the shores of the Gauley River and an abandoned railroad grade running along its banks. The Laurel Creek road provides access to the Gauley River for whitewater rafters. There’s ample parking at the base of the road and a large set of stairs for rafters and their rafts to reach the shores of the Gauley. 

Peters Creek Falls

The Tunnel

The Tunnel

The abandoned road bed is a remnant of a twenty-eight mile stretch of railway built by the NF&G (Nicholas, Fayette and Greenbrier Railroad Company) in 1929 to 1931 to connect the towns of Swiss and Nallen. Hiking this old railroad bed is an easy way to explore and appreciate many miles of the Gauley River. Two tunnels were built for this railroad–one about a mile upstream from Carnifex Ferry near the Confluence Resort, and the other is less than half a mile from the parking area at Laurel Creek. To test your metal on this old tunnel, head west on the railroad bed. The tunnel is straight as an arrow and about 0.6 miles long. From either end you can see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.” But it’s not much. Fortunately the tunnel is well-graded, and there aren’t any potholes to fall into.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The Trestle

The Trestle

Within just a few yards of leaving the tunnel, the rail line launches across the Gauley River along an old trestle. Technically the bridge isn’t a trestle since it is supported by a dozen or so concrete pillars some 60 feet tall. So please forgive me for taking poetic license here. Nevertheless, from the heights of the trestle, the views of the Gauley River are unsurpassed. You feel suspended above the Gauley and can savor sweeping panoramas of the river both upstream and downstream as well as Peter’s Creek, which joins the Gauley River at the northwest end of the trestle. 

Rafters on the Gauley River

The Waterfall

Peter’s Creek Falls (GPS: Lat. 38.231163, Long. -81.045267) are reachable from the end of the trestle if you are willing to walk 2/3 of a mile on an active railroad line. Turn right at the end of the trestle. You can’t miss the falls. They are large, a creek-wide drop of some twenty or more feet. Rocks in the creek beyond the plunge pool make access easy for photographing the falls.

Peters Creek Falls

There you have it--a tunnel, a trestle, and a waterfall. As you can see there’s plenty of adventure for hikers on the Gauley River. 

Adventures on the Gauley River That Don’t Require a Raft

If you’re up for walking a perfectly straight line in nearly perfect darkness for 2/3 of a mile, if you’re ready to walk across the Gauley River from 60 feet above its surface, if you’re able to scramble down to a little known waterfall with a good 40 foot-drop, then you’re ready for some adventures on the Gauley that don’t require a raft.

Gauley River at Laurel Creek

Let’s start with Laurel Creek falls. But first, a word of advice. I would not take the family sedan on this safari. Though the base is firm, the gravel road to the Gauley River has some mud holes, rocky high spots, and is very steep at the end. An SUV or four-wheel drive truck is much better suited for this road. To find Laurel Creek Falls, from the intersection of US 19 and US 60, take US 60 4.6 miles west to Saturday Road (GPS: Lat. 38.12846, Long. -81.07408). From Hawks Nest Lodge, go east on US 60 for 3.25 miles. Saturday Road is a paved road that weaves through some lovely pastures and forests. After 6.4 miles, take a sharp turn to the left onto Lucas Road. Continue on this hardtop road for one mile. At a sharp turn to the left at the crest of a hill, continue straight onto a gravel road. 

Laurel Creek Falls

This road, which follows Laurel Creek, leads to the Gauley River and has been recently upgraded to allow whitewater rafting companies easier access to the Gauley. When you come to junctions in this road just choose the one that trends downward and allows you to follow Laurel Creek as it descends to the Gauley. Two miles on this road will take you by a wooden structure on the left below some sandstone cliffs. Stop here. You’re at Laurel Creek Falls (GPS: Lat. 38.2143, Long. -81.0295)!

Laurel Creek Falls

As a waterfall photographer, Laurel Creek Falls ranks in the top 10 for beauty in my estimation. It has all the photogenic elements that I appreciate in waterfalls: A free drop over a sandstone ledge, a bold staircase of cascades, and a quiet pool at the base. In addition, the falls are beautifully framed by a lush stand of trees and rhododendrons around the top and sides, and emerald-green, moss-covered boulders at its base. It’s a gem of a waterfall that pleases the eyes and poses well for photographs. What’s more, after taking a tumble at the falls, the waters of Laurel Creek continue downstream over several small ledges forming a vigorous series of cataracts–again quite picturesque. 

Laurel Creek Falls

I hope this glowing description motivates you to scramble to the base of the falls. Admittedly, it’s not an easy descent. The side slopes downstream of the falls are steep and rocky. I generally walk about 25 yards down the road from the wooden building and carefully descend the slope down to the creek. You might have better luck walking even further down the road where the slope to the stream lessens somewhat. Whatever the case, have fun but be careful, too, or Laurel Creek won’t be the only thing tumbling in its stream!

Laurel Creek Falls

More adventures on the Gauley to follow in the next post.

Little Canaan is Big on Scenery

Don’t let the name “Little Canaan” Wildlife Management Area (LCWMA) fool you. This place is big on scenery. 

Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area

The LCWMA is 3,168 acres of forest, meadow, and wetlands located just east of Davis, WV. It’s accessed by SR 32 south of Davis and on Camp 70 road (CR 32/18) east of Davis. In addition about 3 miles of the Blackwater River runs through it providing fishing for trout, rock bass, and other species. A forested area lies south of the river and provides hunting opportunities for deer, bear, grouse, woodcock and turkey.

Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area

But my interest in the LCWMA is hiking and photography. About mid-September is a good time to visit this area. The ferns are just changing color then, and the cottongrass is out in full display. In fact, one of my favorite landscape subjects is cottongrass. To me a field of cottongrass is magical. The tiny puffs of white seem to hover weightlessly above the earth. But cottongrass needs a partner, a contrasting subject, to make an interesting photograph. Ferns decked out with fall colors pair up nicely with cottongrass to make a dream-like image. There are patches of both in LCWMA.

Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area

You can make a good loop through the meadows, forest, and wetlands of the LCWMA on the Beaver Creek Trail. Two trailheads lie on Camp 70 Road out of Davis. The first one is about a mile east of Davis (GPS: Lat. 39.12955, Long. -79.44846) and the other about a mile and a half (GPS: Lat. 39.13484, Long. -79.43879). Taking the second trailhead, you’ll follow a power line right-of-way for about a half a mile through meadows of goldenrod and aster. There are stands of cottongrass as well.

Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area

At a half mile turn west to follow Beaver Creek for 0.6 mile. The trail then turns south and weaves in and out of meadow and forest. Wetlands lie to your left (east). After a half mile the Beaver Creek Trail ends at its junction with Trials Road. Turn left on Trials Road, which alternates forest and ferns with meadow and wildflowers.

Goldenrod

After about 0.6 mile, Trials Road meets up with the power line and takes you back to the starting point. It’s a loop of about 2.2 miles. I hope you enjoy this peaceful trail with plenty of variety. Click here for a trail map Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area.

Hiking Sandstone Falls Never Fails to Amaze

What’s a waterfall lover to do when the weather is so dry? Head to Sandstone Falls in Summers County. That’s what Phyllis and I did last Friday. Although low, there was still plenty of splash and spray from the falls at Sandstone. In an earlier Post, I wrote about how to get the most out of a visit to Sandstone Falls. I took my own advice and went to the island of rock in the middle of the river that directly faces the falls. 

Sandstone Falls

The island is not a part of the boardwalk and trail system that the National Park Service (NPS) has made, but it’s easily hiked to with a little scrambling. Just take the path to the right just before the final overlook. You can’t miss the turn off. There’s a gap in the boardwalk and a sign reminding fishermen to wear floatation gear when in or near the water. Most people don’t take this scramble, which is a shame because it offers the most spectacular view of Sandstone Falls. 

Sandstone Falls

What is it like to be on the island, and what do the views look like? I’m posting some photos taken from Friday to illustrate. First, you see the falls up close and personal. They are literally right in front of you. This wall of water rushes at you, then turns away at the last second and is channeled to the left by the rock island. In my opinion it’s one of the grandest sights in West Virginia.

Sandstone Falls

Not only are the falls fun to explore and photograph, the flats to the right of the falls are interesting, too. Here the river is very shallow and the river bed is composed of rock scalloped into pools both large and small. It’s a great place to wander around in tennis shoes and cut-offs. 
 

Flats at Sandstone Falls

As a photographer, compositions seem endless. I spent some time working on a reflection from a pool carved in the bedrock near the falls, took some isolation shots of the main falls, and explored the flats for more reflections. The way the water flows over and through the falls, will intrigue you and keep a photographer occupied for hours. 

Sandstone Falls

This is a hike I can always recommend. Anyone who loves water, will love to explore Sandstone Falls. It never fails to amaze. For more information about how to get to the falls and what to do there see this NPS webpage Sandstone Falls.