On an unusually warm winter day, the streams and waterfalls in the canyons of Starved Rock State Park were flowing with water from recent rain storms. Usually at this time of year, ice would begin to form along some of the streams and waterfalls, setting the foundation for the solid icefalls to come in the upcoming weeks and months.
Late in the afternoon, the sun illuminates and warms only portions of the canyon walls, creating an interesting sunburst, and dramatic contrast between the canyon walls and the floor. Access was certainly easy due to the lack of ice - winter can be dangerous here in French Canyon, where ice cleats are a necessity just to gain access to the canyon. Today, we barely got our boots wet.
The drama between the shadows and light in these canyons is always interesting, but today's sunlight made them even more dramatic. The photographs appear black and white in the shadows and warm color in the light, equally amazing in person.
Late in the afternoon, the sun illuminates and warms only portions of the canyon walls, creating an interesting sunburst, and dramatic contrast between the canyon walls and the floor. Access was certainly easy due to the lack of ice - winter can be dangerous here in French Canyon, where ice cleats are a necessity just to gain access to the canyon. Today, we barely got our boots wet.
The drama between the shadows and light in these canyons is always interesting, but today's sunlight made them even more dramatic. The photographs appear black and white in the shadows and warm color in the light, equally amazing in person.
This was the first trip to Starved Rock in two years; with no ice build up last year, I kept away. But even in the barest, most boring of times, these canyons still hold a beauty worth exploring.
