LATE MARCH WATERFALLS ITHACA, NY

This winter has been very long and now, as the end of March is near the cold is still entrenched. The nights are very cold, sometimes in the teens F. and the day time highs barely freezing.

In mid-March a glimmer of spring appeared but lasted only two days followed by almost 2 feet of snow one Sunday. But that is gone and as snow melt flowed in field and stream another chill arrived. This time only a few inches of snow fell and if it was November and not March it would be quite pretty.

Since the sun shines more in spring than in early winter and is much higher in the sky, the falls are nicer to visit. The shadows do not dull the glens and falling water.

This is the swimming hole waterfalls at Treman state park. The stream, Enfield Creek, is dammed in summer to provide a swimming pool. Early afternoon and the sun shines bright as the water shoots out of the narrow walls of the glen, exploding into a snow white cascade.





Next is Buttermilk Falls, at its base it too is dammed in summer to provide a swimming area in the warmer months.

Rarely is a winter photograph of this falls interesting because it faces almost due north and therefore, when the sun is low on the horizon, it is almost constantly in the shade.

But in late March the sun shines and brightens the stream bed and falls. And today a slight coating of snow makes the light more even, the shadows less harsh.

The golden glow of afternoon sun beautifies the ornamental grass plantings near the park ticket booth.

Soon the spring will return, but of course April is the cruelest month and is yet to be.