Empress Falls in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

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Empress Falls is a stunning waterfall near the town of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia. The Valley of the Waters Creek pours over fern-fringed ledges as Empress Falls, a 30 metre fall into a cold deep pool.

The hike in and out from The Conservation Hut is slightly vigorous (about 30 minutes hike each way), yet absolutely worth it if you are hesitant, especially if you like waterfalls.

This image shows the final section of descent to the bottom of the waterfall.

Empress Falls 2AM-009335

Empress Falls 2AM-009335 © Andrew McInnes

 

On the lower section of the bushwalk there are numerous seeps and soaks, especially if there has been recent rains.

Empress Falls 2AM-009339

Empress Falls 2AM-009339 © Andrew McInnes

 

Abseiling (rappelling) is very popular and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company can provide the experience for you.

Empress Falls 2AM-009348

Empress Falls 2AM-009348 © Andrew McInnes

 

A little further downstream of Empress Falls are a series of smaller, but no less beautiful waterfalls such as the following image of Sylvia Falls.

Empress Falls 2AM-009358

Sylvia Falls 2AM-009358 © Andrew McInnes

Cheers.

 

Minnamurra Rainforest

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These images capture a portion of a remnant pocket of subtropical and warm temperate rainforest that is the Minnamurra Forest – within Budderoo National Park near Jamberoo and Kiama, NSW.

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM 7191-3_HDR

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM 7191-7193_HDR © Andrew McInnes

Australian water dragon 2AM-009846

Australian water dragon 2AM-009846 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Falls 2AM-007179

Minnamurra Falls 2AM-007179 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Falls 2AM-007183

Minnamurra Falls 2AM-007183 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007145

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007145 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007154

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007154 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007161

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-007161 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009815

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009815 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009818

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009818 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009821

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009821 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009822

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009822 © Andrew McInnes

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009825

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM-009825 © Andrew McInnes

 

Cheers 🙂

A few hours in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

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On the first day that the National Parks were reopened to the citizens who own them, I drove to the Smoky Mountains to have a few hours in Cades Cove – a truly remarkable location, and a visit I highly recommend.

All images are Copyright © Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
If you wish to purchase prints please visit my website http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/ or send an Email to me.

 

I feel so very fortunate to see a family of American Black Bears up close and personal – sort of.

Peek-a-boo 🙂

American Black Bear_2AM-000210

American Black Bear_2AM-000210
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400MM f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/400 second at ISO 800 (handheld).
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

Mama bear ascends. Such amazing claws/claw strength!

American Black Bear_2AM-000214

American Black Bear_2AM-000214
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400MM f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/400 second at ISO 800 (handheld).
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

Unlike the assorted yahoo’s who observed the scene with me, I did not approach and stand under the tree!

American Black Bear_2AM-000371

American Black Bear_2AM-000371
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400MM f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/125 second at ISO 1000 (handheld).
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

The fog was very thick when I first arrived. This scene/habitat is very similar to that where I observed the bears.

Cades Cove_2AM-000546

Cades Cove_2AM-000546
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105MM f/4L lens. f22 for 1/5 second at ISO 200.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

Morning light flashes the prairie through the fog.

Cades Cove_2AM-000553

Cades Cove_2AM-000553
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105MM f/4L lens. f22 for 1/8 second at ISO 200.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

This is not a monochrome/black-and-white treatment. Rather, the fog and rain and mist altered the light to what you see here.

Great Smoky Mountains_2AM-000528

Great Smoky Mountains_2AM-000528
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400MM f/4.5-5.6L lens. f22 for 1/13 second at ISO 500.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

The lovely winding road that leads to Cades Cove follows a stream for a good portion, and this lone tunnel is always intriguing to me. I stopped to take this image on my way out – the fall leaves are beginning to turn on  a show right now!

Great Smoky Mountains_2AM-000079

Great Smoky Mountains_2AM-000079
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105MM f/4L lens. f22 for 6 seconds at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

These images are a mere sampling of the wondrous place that is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more of my images of the park, swing over to some of my earlier/archived posts:

https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/a-bloody-cold-shoot-in-the-mountains/
https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/serenity-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/

 

Cheers,

Andrew